Toby touched so many people with her wisdom, passion, integrity, grace, curiosity, generosity, beauty, and love. I am forever grateful for her incredible mentorship and unconditional friendship. She inspired me to think more deeply, to love more fiercely, and to act more boldly. She challenged me to become my better self. She influenced my career, supported me through difficult decisions, and helped me celebrate many joyous moments. She was such a compassionate and caring woman who sought, saw, and championed the best in all those around her. She arrived to make this world a better place.

Working closely with Toby over a decade inspired me to follow my convictions more closely and to work harder for impactful change. Toby’s tireless passion for justice, equity, understanding, inclusion, and truth was both admirable and invigorating. Her quick wit, wickedly insightful humor, perfectly pointed political perspectives, and warm contagious laughter were delightfully refreshing. I don’t know why or how Toby chose me to be part of her research team and circle of colleagues and friends, but I will be forever grateful that she did. I feel so very fortunate that I had the opportunity to interact closely and work with Toby for so many years.

I am so saddened by Toby’s premature death and the illness she had to endure that proceeded it. Last time we talked we shared ideas about things we could do when she felt better. She talked about the things she wanted to do with her family.

This world has lost a truly amazing person. As I have reflected on her loss and feel the deep aching hole it leaves in my heart now, I also feel a calling to embrace the ideas Toby and I discussed over the years and to work harder to help those ideas become a reality. Toby’s beauty and words will linger long in my thoughts and will continue to inspire me.

My heart goes out to Siri, Kia, Adri and their families. I am so very sorry for their loss. Family meant the world to Toby. Her love and admiration for her family was unparalleled. She always spoke of her children with such tenderness and pride as they navigated their paths to adulthood. And I don’t recall any conversation with Toby where she didn’t say something loving about a family member.

And to you, Siri, I send you heartfelt virtual hugs of support. I hope that Toby’s love that dwells deep within your heart will always bring your comfort and that your fond memories of her and your many amazing adventures together will bring you smiles amid the tears. Know that I hold you and your family in my heart and thoughts.

And Toby, I hope that somehow and somewhere you will always know how very dear you were to me, how much I admired you, and how deeply I cared about you. With loving gratitude and deepest appreciation, thank you , Toby, for enriching my life through yours. I miss you and wish you whatever awesomeness there is beyond the earth.