Thursday, December 28, 2006

Toni Marie Payovich






Toni Marie Payovich, 52. Our beloved sister Toni died Thursday, Dec. 28, 2006, at her home in Casper, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by family and loved ones. She was born July 11, 1954, in Red Lodge, Montana.































In life, Toni was an independent trucker – an owner operator. By this I mean – Toni did it her way – No Restraints – No Regrets – her Whole Life. The motto “What you see is what you get” was written with Toni in mind. By the way, if you have not already figured it out -“Politically Correct” was not in Toni’s vocabulary. Toni always had an ability to “Call It Like She Seen it.”

To know Toni was to know a fishing buddy, a hunting partner, a helping hand, a shoulder to cry on, an acquaintance to share a cocktail with, and mostly to know a friend. And frankly, nobody messed with Toni’s friends.

In life, some folks are takers and some folks are givers. We all know which one Toni was – Toni said “NO” to “NO-ONE.”

Toni didn’t have a lazy bone in her body. She could outwork most men.

Over the years she has provided all of us room, board, transportation, loans, and at times - even bail money.

Nobody will deny that the good Lord broke the mold when he made Toni.

It is undeniable that when the going got tough – Toni got going. Even as Toni battled her illness she always answered “I’m fine” when asked how she was feeling.

Toni’s travels took her from Red Lodge, to Butte, to Oberlin KS with our cousin Wayne, to Cooke City – where she lived year round in a one room log cabin with her dog Nakea, a couple of squirrels and snow blowing through the gaps in the chinking in the logs. It was during this period that Toni met her life companion – Dianne Davis. As you know, Toni & Dianne moved to Casper in 1981 where they have remained for the past 25 years.

Through all her life Toni was always strong, sturdy, robust, durable, fiercely dedicated to her friends and family and always full of humor and laughter. All of us should be lucky enough to enjoy the life-long friendships Toni developed in her lifetime.

Toni had a special relationship with animals ever since she was little girl hanging out on her grandparents’ farm. Toni was as dedicated to her animals as she was her human friends, especially her dogs Nakea, Bear, and Shep.

Nobody knew Toni better or recognizes everything I just said better than the lady who has spent the past 25 years at Toni’s side – her dedicated companion – Dianne Davis. Dianne you ARE family and always will be family. We are so sorry for your loss.

If Toni were here right now, to leave with you some parting words, I know Toni would want all of you to take with you these final thoughts, going forward, which mirror her life.

So live your life that the fear of death can never enter your heart.

Trouble no one about their religion; respect others in their views, and demand that they respect yours.

Love your life, perfect your life, and beautify all things in your life. Seek to make your life long and its purpose in the service of your people.

Prepare a noble death song for the day when you go over the great divide.

Always give a word or a sign of salute when meeting or passing a friend, even a stranger, when in a lonely place.

Show respect to all people and grovel to none. When you arise in the morning give thanks for the food and for the joy of living.

If you see no reason for giving thanks, the fault lies only in yourself.

Abuse no one and no thing, for abuse turns the wise ones to fools and robs the spirit of its vision.

When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home. Toni was our hero.

The most visible creators I know of – are those artists whose medium is life itself.

The ones who express the inexpressible ~ without brush, hammer, clay or guitar. They neither paint nor sculpt ~ their medium is BEING.

Whatever their presence touches has increased life. They see and don't have to draw. Toni was an artists at being ALIVE ... this was our beloved sister.

How we will miss her, her smile, her enthusiasm, her energy, and her laughter.

We only wish we could have spent more time in her presence.

So now, Toni is back in the Lord’s arms; please take care of Toni, you've got a special one there.

We are all just thankful for the time we had with her.

We all have had so many magic moments in which to share.

We know God was proud of Her work, and He too, didn't want to spend anymore time apart, because beauty is always in the eye of the beholder, and Toni was truly beautiful – One of the Lord’s Masterpieces.

Thank you Toni – for the life you have led.

Thank you for your example and friendship throughout our lives. You will be cherished forever. You will be truly missed by us and by all who have known you.
Toni’s favorite motto that hung in her and Dianne’s house.

Travel Light In Life, Take Only What You Need, A Loving Family, And Friends, And Simple Pleasures, Someone To Love, And Someone To Love You, Enough To Eat, Enough To Wear, And A Little More Than Enough To Drink – For Thirst Is A Dangerous Thing!






























































































Wednesday, December 20, 2006

Morgan Photo Alaska Star Newspaper

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Chugiak-Eagle River forward Morgan Payovich brings the puck up the ice through the neutral zone during her team's 5-0 win over Dimond-West Saturday. Payovich scored a goal to contribute to the effort of the combined Chugiak and Eagle River High varsity team.
PHOTO BY DAN SHEPARD

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Hockey Update 2006 - 2007 Season

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Morgan was recently asked to play with TeamAlaska U16 Selects. Though we will miss her enjoying Christmas with us, she will be traveling to Connecticut to the 22nd Annual Polar Bears Girls' Ice Hockey Tournament. Aside from TeamAlaska & the combined Eagle River & Chugiak High School girl’s hockey team, Morgan is the only female member of the Eagle River Glacier Bears Boys U16 (10-3-2) Midget boy’s hockey team. Sorry for the brevity, I will update after the New Years celebration.