Obituary for Victoria (Tori) Ann Low Tomalia
Victoria Ann Low Tomalia, known to all as “Tori,” passed away on February 23, 2021, at the age of 44. She was born in Sydney, Australia, March 19, 1976, and grew up in Rochester, Minnesota. Tori graduated from Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota where she studied Theater and earned her education license. She obtained a Master’s Degree in Arts Administration from Boston University, completed an Intensive Study in Physical Theater at Dell’Arte International in Blue Lake, CA, and procured another Master’s Degree in Applied Drama and Theatre for the Young from Eastern Michigan University. She co-founded Pointless Brewery & Theatre with her husband in Ann Arbor, MI and served as the Managing Director of the Theatre. She took on many roles throughout her life, accomplishing a tremendous amount in the years she had. Immensely talented and creative, she was an actor, director, teacher, writer, mask maker, knitter, advocate, published researcher, loving wife, outstanding friend, and the most amazing mother. She was also a huge fan of the TV show, “Buffy the Vampire Slayer.”
Her push to test for the ROS1 gene mutation after her Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis in May of 2013 opened the door for targeted treatment options, which turned her 8 month prognosis into a nearly 8 year cancer journey. She was extremely active with and a founding member of “The ROS1ders,” an organization which bridges ROS1+ patients to research (www.ros1cancer.com). She rode the ups and downs of the disease with grace, power, and determination.
Tori was a phenomenal force for good and a bright light to all those that came in contact with her. She was intelligent, kind, generous, caring, open-minded, always up for something fun, had a great sense of humor, and was beautiful through and through. She wanted to fill the world with love, laughter, compassion, and empathy.
She is survived by her husband, Jason; children, Zander, Autumn, and Mikaela; her parents, Phillip and Maureen; siblings, Yvette, Rachele, and Phillip; nieces and nephews, Kate, Amelia, Jake, Michael, Caleb, Lucy, Jaida, River, and Arthur; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins around the globe.
Public visitation services will be held at Nie Family Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, from 1-3 pm with a private family led life celebration beginning at 3 pm. (COVID restrictions apply). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to “The ROS1ders.” (www.ros1cancer.com).
A live stream of the service will be available on https://www.niefuneralhomes.com/memorials/victoria-tomalia/4541464/index.php at the time of the service.
Nie Funeral Home Visitor Guidelines:
If you feel sick, have cold or flu like symptoms and/or have a fever, please go back home.
Cover Face and Wear a Mask when in the building.
We can have up to 25 family members and friends in the visitation room at one time.
Please avoid personal contact like shaking hands or hugging, please extend verbal salutations.
Please cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue, please dispose of the tissue immediately.
Please wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds under running water.
Please avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Victoria.
Her push to test for the ROS1 gene mutation after her Stage IV non-small cell lung cancer diagnosis in May of 2013 opened the door for targeted treatment options, which turned her 8 month prognosis into a nearly 8 year cancer journey. She was extremely active with and a founding member of “The ROS1ders,” an organization which bridges ROS1+ patients to research (www.ros1cancer.com). She rode the ups and downs of the disease with grace, power, and determination.
Tori was a phenomenal force for good and a bright light to all those that came in contact with her. She was intelligent, kind, generous, caring, open-minded, always up for something fun, had a great sense of humor, and was beautiful through and through. She wanted to fill the world with love, laughter, compassion, and empathy.
She is survived by her husband, Jason; children, Zander, Autumn, and Mikaela; her parents, Phillip and Maureen; siblings, Yvette, Rachele, and Phillip; nieces and nephews, Kate, Amelia, Jake, Michael, Caleb, Lucy, Jaida, River, and Arthur; as well as numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins around the globe.
Public visitation services will be held at Nie Family Funeral Home, 2400 Carpenter Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48108, on Tuesday, March 2, 2021, from 1-3 pm with a private family led life celebration beginning at 3 pm. (COVID restrictions apply). In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to “The ROS1ders.” (www.ros1cancer.com).
A live stream of the service will be available on https://www.niefuneralhomes.com/memorials/victoria-tomalia/4541464/index.php at the time of the service.
Nie Funeral Home Visitor Guidelines:
If you feel sick, have cold or flu like symptoms and/or have a fever, please go back home.
Cover Face and Wear a Mask when in the building.
We can have up to 25 family members and friends in the visitation room at one time.
Please avoid personal contact like shaking hands or hugging, please extend verbal salutations.
Please cover your mouth and nose if you cough or sneeze with your elbow or a tissue, please dispose of the tissue immediately.
Please wash your hands with soap and water for a minimum of 20 seconds under running water.
Please avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Please sign the Tribute Wall and share a memory of Victoria.