Tonya “Toni” Lee Binkerd

1951 ~ 2018 Tonya “Toni” Binkerd peacefully left this world on Jan. 2, 2018, surrounded by her children, grandchildren and other loved ones.

Toni was born on Feb. 1, 1951 to Robert Binkerd and Becky Bruner in Salt Lake City. She was raised by her grandparents, Robert Cady Binkerd and Laura Hansen. She later met Louis Garcia, with whom she had her three children. In 1994, she received Associate degrees in Criminal Justice and Minority Ethnics and Human Services from Salt Lake Community College.

Mom spent her best years swimming, cooking amazing Mexican food, taking day trips to explore new areas, hanging out with her grandchildren and spending time with her puppies.

She was survived by her daughter Leah (Rob) Walden, Gunny Garcia, Jacques (Chanté) Garcia, nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren, all of whom loved her dearly. She is preceded in death by both of her parents and several siblings, as well as the father of her children and life long friend, Louis Garcia.

Mom was always welcoming to our friends and provided a meal, a place to stay and, most importantly, served as a second mom to anyone who needed it. She would never let anyone leave her sight without letting them know that she loved them. She was funny and it was fitting that the last thing that came out of her mouth was a joke. She got to spend her final hours surrounded by her children and significant others goofing off, making jokes and reminiscing old stories as if we were all still kids under her roof. It was the most appropriate way to see her off.

We will be having a celebration of her life on Friday, Jan. 5 from 5-8 p.m. in the rec room of the West Jordan Senior Housing facility on 2105 W. Sugar Factory Road.