Obituary: Antoinette Marie Alwin

As received from the Chappell Funeral Home:

Antoinette Marie (Uroda) Alwin, an avid learner and devoted wife, passed away peacefully at home on March 5,2024, in Fennville, MI. Born on April 19, 1946, in Detroit, MI, to the late Joseph and Julia (Kwilos) Uroda, Antoinette, fondly known as Toni by her friends and family, was a cherished sister to Dorothy Alwin and Mary (Bill) Seder and the late Father Stanley Uroda.

Toni was the beloved wife of fifty-four years of Bill Alwin and the adored mother of Mary Alwin and Tom (Christe) Alwin. Her warmth and wisdom will live on through her grandsons, Bodhi, and Ryker, who brought immense joy to her later years.

A proud graduate of Wayne State University, Toni earned her degree in Library Science in 1968. Her passion for knowledge and community service were evident through her early career as an elementary teacher and later as a librarian and business manager at the Isle Royale Natural History Association. She especially enjoyed helping library patrons with their research, keeping her skills current as internet search engines developed. Her professional pursuits were not just jobs but a testament to her commitment to education and the natural world.

Toni was a devout Catholic and attended St. Peter of Douglas. Her faith included a strong affinity for angels and the power of prayer. She was also a member of the Friends of Fennville Public Library. Her love for the written word was matched by her skillful hands, as she was an avid member of local knitting and crocheting groups. These activities were more than hobbies, they were extensions of her thoughtful nature as she often used her talents to create pieces to donate to charitable causes in the community.
Her children remember her fondness for cultivating African Violets and her patience teaching baking and crafting skills. Toni was a voracious reader and found joy in the pages of countless books. She also had a talent for sewing, a skill she used to create many practical and decorative clothing and household items.
Family was the cornerstone of Toni’s life, and she instilled in her children and grandchildren the values of love, education, and the importance of being thoughtful in all actions. She embraced her Polish heritage, passing down traditions she remembered from her childhood. Her intelligence was not just academic but emotional as well, guiding her family through life’s challenges with grace and resilience.

Toni’s legacy is one of enduring love and the pursuit of knowledge. Never one for the spotlight, she was always supportive and helpful to her family, friends, and community, embodying the essence of thoughtfulness in her actions. Her memory will be treasured, and her influence will continue to be felt by all who were fortunate enough to know her.

As we celebrate the life of Antoinette Marie Alwin, we reflect on the profound impact she had on those around her. Her bright smile and generous nature will be sorely missed, yet her spirit will remain an everlasting presence in the hearts of her loved ones.

MEMORIAL MASS
Wednesday
March 13, 2024
11:00 AM
St. Peter Catholic Church (St. Peters Drive, Douglas)
RECEPTION
Wednesday
March 13, 2024
12:00 PM
St. Peter Catholic Church (St. Peters Drive, Douglas)

Knights Of Columbus Council 8687
100 St Peters Dr., Douglas MI 49406
Hospice of Holland
270 Hoover Blvd., Holland MI 49423