Toni Oliphant

Antoinette Josephine (Farrugia) Oliphant, November 15, 1938 - March 28, 2021. Mother, Office Manager, Salem Township Trustee, Foster Grandparent, World Traveler. Toni was the first born daughter of Joseph Farrugia and Rita (Barbara) Farrugia in Detroit, Michigan. She married James Oliphant Jr and has three sons that survive her; Joseph (Rose) Oliphant, Quaker Heights, NSW, Australia, James (Marie Tenborg) Oliphant III, Wichita, and Donald (Vicki) Oliphant, Wichita. Seven grandchildren also cherish her memory; Andrea Wise, Rebecca Lewis, Patricia Oliphant, Nathaniel Oliphant, Andrew Oliphant, Stephanie Oliphant and Zachary Oliphant as well as three great grandchildren; Piper Wise, Maximillian Oliphant and Dominic Oliphant. Toni was preceded by her parents, her two sisters Josie Konopaski and Harriet Horvath. Her two brothers Jerome and Joseph and two sisters Denise Farrugia-Burgess and Victoria Farrugia Whitmire survive her. Toni was a lover of music of all kinds especially music performed by her sons in bands throughout their lives. Her son, James (Pepper) directs the Delano Wind Ensemble and she never missed a concert. She was an avid traveler with several trips to Europe, Canada, Australia and throughout the US. Her car was her equalizer and allowed her to roam about when her legs wouldn’t let her walk about anymore. The term “Grizzly Mom” wasn’t invented when she raised her boys. Always an advocate for the underdog and a strong believer in right and wrong. Her Catholic faith was a guiding principle in her entire life and gave her strength in difficult times. Many priests became her friend and she was led by them to a deeper faith and love of the Church. In her later years, her participation in Catholic Charities Foster Grandparents Program brought her strength and much enjoyment as she worked with Kindergarten and First Grade students at Christ the King in Wichita. As her health deteriorated, the prayers, cards, parades and letters brought her much joy, love and peace. She appreciated them very much.

James wishes to thank the staff at Phoenix Home Health Care, her home health aide LaChelle, Marie Tenborg and Patricia Oliphant for the loving care they provided to Mom through the time of her illness.

Visitation is at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary, 115 S. Seneca 5-7PM Monday April 5, Rosary at 7PM. Funeral Mass will be at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 132 S. Millwood, Tuesday April 6, Rosary at 9:30AM followed by Mass at 10:00AM. Interment will follow at St. Anthony Cemetery in Garden Plain, KS.