Toni' Intravaia of Carbondale
Toni' Intravaia, 95, danced her to way into heaven after passing away at home April 25, 2018.
Toni' was born Oct. 11, 1922, in Covington, Ky., the daughter of Marion William Uhlschmidt and Mary Theresa (Hellse) Uhlschmidt. She married Lawrence J. Intravaia June 1, 1948.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Mary Theresa Hellse and Marion William Uhlschmidt; husband Lawrence J. Intravaia; and her sisters, Ann Ulschmidt and Rose Berbericht.
She is survived by her son, Paul J. Intravaia, and wife Cheryl; grandchildren Jackie and Chris Intravaia; and her beloved dog, Bella.
Toni' was well-known for her unshakeable faith, unstoppable energy and love of the Arts. She was thankful for the opportunity to provide religious training to so many people at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church and equally grateful for the numerous children and adults who took dance at her home. Toni' took great delight in watching everyone grow up, learn about God and experience the joy of dancing.
Toni' was a very humble, compassionate, caring, simple and altruistic woman, and therefore very few people know of all her accomplishments. She received her bachelor of arts from West Virginia University, her master of science in dance from the University of Wisconsin and her DMA in dance from New York University. She was the owner of the Creative Dance Workshop, fundraiser for the American Cancer Society (Jackson County beginning in 1973), treasurer and chairman of Youth Concerts in Carbondale (beginning in 1964), and director of religious education at St. Francis Xavier (beginning in 1973). While living in Carbondale, she was a dance instructor from 1973 to 2018, a member of the President's Counsel, the SIU Foundation (1994) and director of the Children's Ballet Theater. She was also involved with the Active Arts Celebration (Carbondale), Arts Education Festival (SIUC), the Dance Notation Bureau Inc., International Double Reed Society, Illinois Federal Music Club (treasurer), Sacred Dance Guild, Memorial Hospital Guild, International Conference Kinetography Laban (treasurer), Maga Museum (SIU), St. Francis Xavier Women's Club, Morning Etude Club, SIU Women's Club and a lifetime member of the Carbondale Community High School Music Boosters. She was an author and director of numerous dance scores, a certified teacher in dance notation and was affiliated with teaching, festivals and institutes in Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, Utah, Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Illinois and Colorado from 1943 to 2017.
Despite these accomplishments, Toni's greatest joy was her son, Paul. He was the light of her life, and she proudly attended almost all of his performances. She was a devoted mother and grandmother who will be greatly missed and eternally admired for the grace and kindness she shared with this community.
Funeral mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2018, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in Carbondale with Father Robert Flannery officiating. Burial will follow at Murdale Gardens of Memory in Murphysboro. Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, April 27, 2018, at Meredith Funeral Home of Carbondale.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or St. Francis Care Animal Shelter. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home and church.
To share a story or memory of Toni', visit meredithfh.com.