Antoinette D. Cumming (Toni)'s Obituary
Antoinette D. Cumming (Toni) was born January 2, 1930, in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was the only child of Anthony Denapolis and Marie Connelly. She passed away unexpectedly in her sleep on Friday, June 7, 2024 at the age of 94 in her own home, remaining very happy, active and independent until that time.
Toni was educated at Ursuline Academy in New Orleans and Louisiana State University, where she met and married her husband, William Rushmore Cumming III (Bill). They were parents to two children, Kathe Cumming (Watson Shinn) and William Rushmore Cumming IV (Rush).
Deeply devoted to home and family, she dedicated the children’s early years to volunteer work, always present for school activities and serving as Board member for the Isaac Delgado Museum, now NOMA.
She was a gourmet cook until her passing with love for food instilled in her through her father, Anthony, Tony Denapolis, who had ownership in THE LITTLE CLUB, where the young Louis Prima began, as well as several New Orleans restaurants.
After receiving special certification, she pursued a career in the field of secretarial social services and created and managed a staff for Associated Catholic Charities in New Orleans, which would provide editing and production services for social workers in the field of adoption and foster care in the parish. She further began relationships with area universities to encourage students with needs toward furthering their education to apply for positions within her department, ultimately becoming their mentor.
During this time she wrote, designed and created a puppet show with the story of two children, who built a rocket ship and travelled to the moon, where they met and befriended a dragon named Sam. Her daughter, Kathe, and friends performed the show at area schools and Children’s Hospital in New Orleans.
She was later recruited and hired by East Jefferson Hospital to develop a clerical staff within their Radiology Department, which would be similar to the program she had developed at Associate Catholic Charities.
Toni and her husband, Bill, and son, Rush, custom-built a beautiful home in Diamondhead, Mississippi, where they retired. She was active in the Women’s Golf Club and Diamondhead Performing Arts. Later, she, Bill and Rush would renovate an antique Matthews, where they would cruise and reside until their final home in Marina Beau Chene.
She will be missed for her vitality by all who knew her.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathe Cumming Watson Shinn (Rory), her grandchildren, Anna Boyter (Brian), Ryan Cumming and William Watson, III (Tara), as well as great-grandchildren, Aubrey Cumming, Braxton Spradley, Berlin and Heidi Boyter, Emma and Lucy Watson.
As Toni requested, there will be no services.
E.J. Fielding Funeral Home has been entrusted with funeral arrangements. The Cumming family invites you to share thoughts, fondest memories, and condolences online at E. J. Fielding Funeral Home Guest Book at www.ejfieldingfh.com.
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