Antoinette "Toni" Orlando Green
May 27, 1938 ~ March 2, 2023
With sadness we share the news that Toni Green of Vienna, VA passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family. She is predeceased by her beloved husband of 48 years, Bill Green (d.2015), and is survived by her children Nancy Green, Julie Cooke (Andrew), Matthew Green, her grandchildren Kyle Hughes (Becky), Nathaniel and Matthew Green, Isabelle and Aidan Cooke, her sister Janet Fibich, nieces, nephews, the Brandt Family, and many lifelong friends.
Born to Salvatore and Lucy Orlando and raised in Buffalo New York, Toni grew up surround by a large loving Italian family. She graduated from D’Youville College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education and then became a first grade teacher. A part-time job teaching night school led her to meeting a fellow teacher who would become her husband. Bill’s career with U.S. Customs would take them to New York City, Washington DC, San Francisco, and then back to DC where they settled in Vienna. During these years they made numerous friendships and had several neighbors who would become like family.
Toni was a member of Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church and the Northern Virginia Women’s Social Club for over 40+ years and volunteered and contributed to numerous charities in the Northern Virginia area. Toni was known for her strength, kindness, friendships, and for her love of cooking, especially for family and friends. Her door was always open with an extra seat at her dining table. “Gammy” as her beloved grandchildren and their friends called her, enjoyed traveling, attending her grandchildren’s games and activities, planning events, reading and catching up with friends and neighbors.
Family will receive friends at the Money and King Funeral Home, 171 Maple Ave. West, Vienna, Virginia 22180 on Friday, March 24th from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. Family and friends are invited to a Funeral Mass on Saturday, March 25th at 11 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel, 8601 Wolftrap Rd., Vienna, Virginia 22182. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to one of her favorite charities, St Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital by visiting www.stjude.org/donate
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Q: What will you never forget about Antoinette?
A: One of my favorite memories is going to the beach house with the whole family and spending time with Toni. She once said to me “all you need to worry about is being a good girl”. From teenage years to young adulthood that small, effortless advice gave me the morals in life to be a better person everyday, like she was. She was and always will be the grandmother who wholeheartedly accepted me into her family. She will forever have a special place in my heart.
Q: How would you describe Antoinette to someone who had never met them?
A: Toni Green was a remarkable woman, a perfect example of a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. I’ll be forever grateful for those times when she lovingly took care of my young son, John, Kyle’s friend, while I was at work. I believe she thoroughly enjoyed their silliness and company. She had a beautiful laugh.
Toni was always fun-loving and smiling. She was proud of her hometown Buffalo, her Italian heritage, her deep faith, and her lovely home where all were welcome. She had a flair for entertaining. I’ll remember some special celebrations–the Y2K party, a summer crabfest, Easter dinner with many guests where she prepared several whole beef tenderloins with all the fixings, and her 80th birthday party. I, along with so many others, will miss her greatly. I know she went straight to heaven, where she is delighting the angels.
I have lost dear friend and neighbor in Toni. We shared a daily afternoon “high tea” for many years. We discussed our joys and concers, as well as sharing many great laughs, memories and a few tears. The last two years have been difficult, but Toni always remained both positive and courageous. Even throughout battle with cancer, she managed to maintain all her family’s traditions. During this time, I was graced the opportunity to get to know her loving and supportive family. Every time, I walk by her home, I will remember all the great times we shared. She will deeply missed by many.
Our deepest sympathy to Nancy, Julie, Matthew, Kyle and families. We hold special memories of Antoinette and times together with Bill at Thanksgiving and at the Brickskeller in DC. Fond memories of your visits to our apartment in Crystal City and times shared with laughter and good wine and food.
Erick and Vanessa Fibich
Antoinette was an incredible contagious woman. Never needed to preach, just lived her life as I watched. She was my Godmother and a second mother to me who showered me with love, laughter, great advice and total acceptance. From Antoinette I “caught” a deep faith in God, and the desire to be kind, forgiving, and extend grace to others. Antoinette mastered these qualities that I continue to strive for. Her life was not talk but action. She taught me the cost of love as she cared for her Mama Lucy for a decade and referred to this as her privilege. I believe anyone who knew her “caught” something wonderful from her.
Every communication, no matter how serious would cause me to smile. Evan after sharing the heartbreaking news of her medical issues and treatments. I smiled though tears to see her how happy she looked in the family portrait at Kyle’s wedding. She regularly sent photos and proud joyful reports (aka bragging) of her beloved grandchildren. I laughed when she pointed out that Aiden is taller than her. Generations of Valvo women have boosted that their grandchildren were tall. My deepest condolence to her family and those who loved and lost the irreplaceable wisdom and love of Antoinette. I pray we rejoice and comfort each other in the knowledge she was welcomed in heaven by our Lord and is surrounded by family and friend that preceded her.
I met Toni when she moved into the house across the street.We became fast friends because we were both Italian and loved to cook good food. I remember her every Easter when I make her delicious spinach pie. She didn’t suffer fools, but loved her friends. She is one of my most favorite people. Even when ill,she had a smile on her face. I will miss her terribly
Rose
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I first met Mrs. Green in 1988 when I was just 15 years old. She immediately made me feel welcome in her home. To this day, I picture her in her kitchen with her arms resting on the counter, stirring her fabulous sauce on the stove. She was always taking care of someone-her sweet mother Lucy, her grandson Kyle, her own children, and of course, Bill. She included my mom and I in every holiday and celebration and we were always made to feel like family. I’ll never forget her amazing lasagna and ice cream cake, those delicious white cookies she made at Christmas, and 4th of July’s on the back porch, but most importantly, I’ll never forget the kindness she showed my mother and me. My mom has had a rough time with her health the last few years and even while Mrs. Green was ill herself, she made a point to call my mom to cheer her up! Mom and I will always hold a special place in our hearts for Toni.
Kathie Donnelly and Erin Sams
My sincere condolences to all the family and friends of Mrs. Green. Mrs. Green and the Green family are in many of my fondest childhood and young adult memories, particularly of Christmases past. Every year, my family and our Bowie friends would pile into our van for the drive to Vienna for a wonderful Christmas feast at the Green’s house. In fact, when our families stopped getting together for Christmas, my family continued to have that meal and still do. And, of course, we’ll never forget the year when the snow/ice was so bad that we had to spend the night at the Green’s after being unable to make it to the highway in our rear-wheel drive van. Mrs. Green and her family were like family when I was growing up. May she rest in peace.
Toni had a heart of gold. She loved deeply and fiercely, taking care of family and friends who she held close to her heart. She was whip-smart and funny, quick with a quip or incisive observation. She exuded an energy and a zest for life that was contagious to all around her: being around her made you smile and brought a bit of joy to your day. She was truly beloved and will be missed greatly, not only by family and friends but by all who were lucky enough to came into her orbit.
My deepest condolences to the Green family and friends. I have known Mrs Green my entire life, but came to know her more deeply as she and my mom formed a strong friendship in the last 10 years. Since Covid, they have shared visits in the driveway, a few pool visits (my mom still loves pools), holiday celebrations outside during Covid , ladies lunches, and many more. When my mom had double knee surgery, Toni brought my parents meals and delicious treats. Believe me, my parents appreciated them. I am only 30 minutes away, but I always felt good that my mom had a close friend in Toni.. They shared a lot of joy and some tears too especially in this last two years as Toni battled pancreatic cancer, but still remembered others in spite of all she was facing. She was brave through it all. I know you have lost your steadfast matriarch and my mom (and many others) have lost a true friend. I am very grateful our moms shared this season of life friendship. I am also glad my mom had the opportunity to get to know your family during this difficult time. I know there is nothing I can say to take away the pain of your loss. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Blessings,
Heather Osterlund Gaillard
We met when Julie was engaged to Andrew. Toni and I immediately connected. She had a wonderful gentle kindness about her. Also, I loved her sense of humor! Although we were only in each other’s company a handfuls of times, Toni made a deep and lasting impression on me and Ted and our family.
We send our love and sincere condolences to Julie, Andrew, Isabelle, and Aidan and the Green family.
Betty Cook