Toni Lynn Duncan
January 13, 1958 - February 6, 2025
Toni Lynn Duncan, 67, of Ponca City, OK, died on Thursday, February 6, 2025. Viewing will be from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, Wednesday, February 12, 2025, at Trout Funeral Home. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 2:00 PM, Thursday, February 13, 2025. Arrangements are under the direction of Trout Funeral Home & Crematory, 505 W. Grand Ave, Ponca City, OK, 74604.
Toni was born January 13, 1958 in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Leona and Donald Duncan. She had three siblings, Jeffery (Jeff), Dawn (Dawndy), and Deanna. Toni had several nieces and nephews, she also had many cousins, aunts and uncles. Toni was especially close with her Aunt Robbie Elaine who was Toni’s guardian for many years and was very involved in her life. When Elaine became ill, Toni’s aunt, Inola, stepped in to be her guardian. Toni also had a special friendship with her cousin Joanna and always enjoyed her visits.
Toni moved to The Opportunity Center in Ponca City in 1997. She moved into the Greenbriar home and happily lived there until her passing in 2025. Living in this home, she developed many close friendships with peers and staff. She considered them to be part of her family. She had special relationships with each person who lived in the home. She was close with Patrick, Sonya, Kathey, and her new housemate Allison. She also had special relationships with friends who lived at Greenbriar who are no longer with us including Judy, Danny, Diane, Cleve, and Jeff.
In 2014, Lisa became Toni’s guardian. The two had a very special relationship and enjoyed several adventures together - Lisa had been a member of her team since 2000. Toni became a member of Lisa’s family along with Kelly who had been a member of Toni’s team since 1999 and their children Andrew and Reygan. Toni had many people in her second family who welcomed her with open arms especially Misty and Chad who went above and beyond to make sure Toni was comfortable in their home as her physical needs changed.
Toni had many different jobs while working at The Opportunity Center including, working in contracts, at El Chico, The Good Buy Shop, Caboose Thrift Store, and a long-term job at Whimsy. In this last job, Toni especially thrived. She loved participating in cleaning and decorating. She loved spending time with her friends at work, especially Rich.
Toni also loved participating in Special Olympics for many years. She was a highly decorated athlete. She participated in bocce as well as track and field. She would start each competition as if she had already won. At her last track and field event, she ran all the way to the finish of the race with her arms held high in the air- an indication that she knew she was going to win the gold. (She did win the gold in that race!)
Toni loved every single holiday and always wanted to celebrate. She loved going out to eat each week with her housemates. She loved animals and always had a way of getting them to listen to her and do what she told them to do. Toni loved babies and welcomed each little one she met with love and kindness.
Toni loved writing notes. Twenty years ago, she wrote notes about things she didn’t like and things that she felt needed to change. She could really let you have it in a note fast!In the last 10-12 years, she softened and wrote notes about things she was proud of, people she loved, and kindness. Anytime she heard that someone she loved was not feeling well, she wanted to write them a note and color them a picture in hopes of helping them feel better.
Toni had special relationships with long-term team members including Darcy or as Toni called her, Dorsey. She always looked forward to her visits and wanted Darcy to write her a special note so she could tell others about her progress. She had special relationships with Adonna, who was her case manager for many years and always advocated for her. She was also very close with Lorene who was her house manager, PC, and friend for many years. Toni adored her.
Toni always enjoyed getting phone calls, letters, and visits from family and friends. Those relationships were extremely important to Toni and those contacts would make her day and make her light up with joy. Toni touched the lives of so many people in so many ways, she will be missed daily.
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