Lasting Memories

Ethel Toby
1917-April 19, 2010
Woodside, California

Ethel Medhurst Toby died March 19 at her home in Woodside.

Born in San Mateo in 1917, Ms. Toby spent her childhood in the town of Caspar, north of Mendocino, until returning to San Mateo to attend high school. She married Daniel Toby in 1941. While living in San Mateo, she spent many years working in the family manufacturing business.

For the past 11 years, she lived in a small house next door to her daughter, Diane Toby, and her husband, Jeff Lea, in Woodside. Her green thumb was legendary and she was most at home in her garden, say family members. She was a soft-spoken woman with a quick mind and strong opinions, they say.

She is survived by her daughters, Diane Toby of Woodside and Louise Toby of Baltimore; and four grandchildren.