Toni Gonzales, 74, was born in December 1951 and passed away in March 2026. A proud Georgia native with deep family roots in North Carolina, Toni moved to Arizona early in life, where her father had a house built in the late 50s in the Arcadia area of Phoenix.
Toni graduated from Gerard High School and attended Northern Arizona University, where she met her husband, Art. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology and began her career in quality control in the pharmaceutical industry. Preferring to working more closely with people, she later enrolled in Mesa Community College’s nursing program and became a Registered Nurse.
Toni and Art lived seven great years in Minnesota, where she began her nursing career and welcomed their son, Mark and made lots of friends. They later returned to Arizona, where their daughter, Megan, was born. Toni served as a dedicated school nurse in Queen Creek, Apache Junction, and Mesa Public Schools before retiring in 2018.
Toni loved the outdoors especially hiking, camping, and the beach. She hiked Havasupai, trekked to Phantom Ranch, and explored the trails of Sedona, her favorite place. She and Art also enjoyed traveling the world together, most notably visiting Scotland, Barcelona, Boston, and Washington, D.C.
Toni was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Priscilla Carter. She is survived by her loving husband, Art; her son, Mark; her daughter, Megan Petrocco (Joe); her grandchildren, Addison and Anthony, her sister-in-law, Tina, her sister Kelli Carter, her cousins Rom Spencer, Mary Tilghman, along with multiple nephews and nieces.
Toni lived a full and meaningful life and shared more than 50 years of marriage with her beloved husband, Art. A celebration of life will be held on April 23 at Red Mountain Country Club, where family and friends will gather to honor and remember her.
Celebrating 75 years of serving our community