Ann Bixler, 99, a resident of East Rupert, Vt., passed away Tuesday, May 10 at home. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Harold R. Bixler.
Ann Bixler, who passed away at age 99 on Tuesday, May 10, was the original “Toni Girl” model for Toni home permanents in the 1940s.
Ann was born in Worcester, Mass., on Oct. 27, 1916, the daughter of the late Louis and Marguerite Thurston. Ann graduated from Classical High School in Worcester and attended Becker College, also in Worcester, where she was a member of Sigma Eta Phi Sorority.
Ann was the original “Toni Girl” model for Toni home permanents and was featured on billboards across the country during the 1940s. While living in Darien with her family, she was very active with the Children’s Aid Society.
In 1964, she and Harold moved to East Rupert, Vt., and enjoyed entertaining their friends, flower gardening, growing pumpkins and raising St. Bernards. She enjoyed traveling, big band music, calypso and cherished times spent with her family. She especially loved watching the Red Sox, Patriots, Giants and “THE” Ohio State Buckeyes.
She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Bruce and Mary (Sullivan) Bixler of East Rupert; daughter Ann Eastlake of Londonderry, Vt.; grandchildren Brooke Bixler, Tyler and Jen (Morgan) Bixler and Christopher and Timothy Eastlake, Erin and Michael Sullivan; and great-granddaughter Olivia Peckham.
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— This obituary is from the Brewster-Shea Funeral Home on Legacy.com.
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Funeral services for Ann will be held Thursday, May 19 at 2 p.m. at the United Church of Christ in Dorset and East Rupert. Interment will be private.
There are no visiting hours. If friends desire, memorial gifts in Ann’s memory may be made to the Shaftsbury Humane Society, c/o Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, PO Box 885, Manchester Center, VT 05255.
To send the family personal email condolences, please visit www.sheafuneralhomes.com.
The family has entrusted arrangements to the care of Brewster-Shea Funeral Home, 34 Park Place, Manchester Center, Vt.