Antoinette K. Edwards

Antoinette Marie Klemovich Edwards, 97, passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at her home in Houston, Texas. She had been the loving wife of the late Daniel Lewis Edwards. 

Born January 18, 1927 in Southington, she was the daughter of the late Emil Klemovich and Stella (Piesniakevich) Klemovich. Antoinette was affectionately known by her friends as “Toni”, “Klem’ by her childhood friends, and Babciu (Polish for grandmother) by her immediate family and grandchildren. 

Toni attended Lewis High School in Southington. At the age of 23 she attended the Traphagen School of Fashion in New York City, and excelled in an 8 month course in the Clothing Construction Department. This led to a life-long career as a self-employed seamstress and clothing designer. At the age of 50 she took accounting classes at Northern Virginia Community College and was hired by Charles E. Smith Management, Inc., and after 4 years advanced to the position of Accounts Payable Manager. She was widowed at the age of 57, retired at the age of 64, and survived breast cancer at the age of 71. The greatest tragedy in her life occurred in 2013 at the age of 86 when she suffered the death of her first born, Steven Alan Edwards. 

Toni was an avid world traveler having visited over 20 foreign countries and most of the United States. She was a die-hard Tom Brady fan, country line dancing lover, Bingo aficionado, crossword puzzler, kazoo band member, and jigsaw puzzle master. She loved staying active and engaged with family and friends, living her life to the fullest.

Toni is survived by her son, Brant Edwards; daughter-in-law, Annette Edwards; grandson, Daniel Alan Edwards; and granddaughter, Jessica Lynn Edwards all of Houston, Texas, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was the youngest of five siblings and was predeceased by all four of her brothers and sisters, Joseph and Charles Klemovich, Susan Flors, and Victoria Nigro, as well as her husband, Daniel Lewis Edwards, and her son, Steven Edwards.

The daughter of one of Toni’s closest friends once wrote a school essay about her and said, “Toni has lived a long and interesting life. It is amazing to me to see a person her age (80 at the time) who acts and feels as though she is still in her early adulthood. Her life course proves that people are able to age happily and successfully despite losses and setbacks, as long as they have the will to live.” Toni certainly had that.

A private graveside service will be held at St. Thomas Cemetery, Southington. The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, you reach out to an old friend to catch up, or do something exceptionally nice for someone close to you, who if they were no longer with us tomorrow, you would regret having never told them how you feel and just how much they mean to you. Plantsville Funeral home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. For online condolences, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.