Dia T. Toney

On September 23, 2023, Dia Tene Toney, our family’s “Hello Kitty” and cat-loving ray of sunshine, was joyously welcomed to her heavenly home by a host of loving ancestors and friends. Dia’s Earthly family and friends are deeply saddened by the sudden and untimely passing of their “Luscious Leo” and as a young cousin said, by “the heartbreak of not being able to say goodbye.”

Born July 23, 1971, Dia was the beloved and precious only child of parents Donald Raymond, and Margie Ann (Parrish) Toney. She was also a cherished niece, a highly esteemed and much loved “big sister-cousin”, and a dear cousin and loyal friend to many. She will be lovingly remembered for her devotion to her parents and other family, her show-stopping smile, her witticisms, her posts that were legendary on and off of social media, her irrepressible humor, and her tenacity and passion for living each day to the fullest.

Dia was born in Sacramento, and because her father was in the Military, she lived on military bases in Clovis and Oceanside California. At Oceanside, she began her lifelong love of the ocean and the solace and tranquility she found there. She attended Oceanside public schools and Sacramento City College, and because of her excellent communication and people skills, she had a successful career in Customer Service working for several employers.

Inside and out, Dia was a beautiful person. Her faith and relationship with the creator made her an incredibly strong young woman; and her respect for the lessons and values of her ancestors and elders were reflected in the confident, intelligent woman she became. 

Dia is preceded in passing by her maternal grandmother and grandfather Willie Lee (Dixon) Parrish and Wallace Patterson; her paternal grandmother and grandfather Effie Lee and William James Arnette; two aunts, Dorothy Parrish, and Naomi Jean Brown; an uncle, Chad Toney, and a favored special cousin Frances “Marnie” Hudson, and most recently, Joe Hudson Sr.

Left to cherish her memory are her loving parents, Donald Raymond, and Margie Ann (Parrish) Toney; her cats Bella and Thor; Valery Crockett, a devoted “sister-friend” who for 30 years was always there for her; 10 aunts, 6 uncles, a host of cousins and extended family, many loyal friends, and a multitude of social media “friends” who followed Dia Tene Toney, alias “Luscious Leo”, on Facebook and Instagram.

Floating peacefully through waves and clear blue waters, accompanied by a procession of creatures from the ocean she loved, Dia has set sail to a distant shore, where we will all be together again when God wills.