Antoinette "Toni" Sarafina Mineo

Antoinette (Toni) Mineo went to heaven Tuesday, September 3, 2024. She died peacefully in her home, in her bed with her son at her side.

Toni was born in Tacoma on November 6, 1926, to Joseph and Batistina Lento, two proud Italian immigrants. She joined her two sisters, Rosemarie and Luigina in a musical life that lasted for many years. Toni’s life became even more musical when she married Art Mineo with whom she collaborated on many creative efforts, recording and publishing in New York and Seattle, writing and publishing over one hundred songs including a major work for the Seattle World’s Fair in 1962 entitled Rhapsody 21 that was recorded by the Hamburg Symphony orchestra.

However, Toni’s proudest musical achievement was her tenure as Musical Director of the Holy Cross Choir for which she served over forty years. She challenged her choir when she wrote, rehearsed, and performed four masses, each in a different language. Then, to ease the pressure, she taught the choir to perform a mass by Mozart.

She was a wonderful and supportive mother to her only child Gene, a devoted daughter, sister, and aunt, and a true and faithful wife to Art.

She will be remembered as a talented woman who brought joy through music to all who had the privilege of hearing her music.

Toni is survived by her son Gene, her nieces Gwen and Mikelanne and many grand nieces and nephews.

The family wants to thank the staff of MultiCare Home Health and Hospice for their amazing service.

A funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday, September 11, 2024, at 11 am at Holy Cross Church. In lieu of flowers please donate to Holy Cross Church in Tacoma.