“Toni” Salvo PHOTO: RGJ
Elisa Antonia De “Toni” Salvo (1946 – 2015) passed away unexpectedly on January 1, 2015 at Renown Medical Center at the age of 68.
A memorial service was held at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral in Reno, Nevada, on Saturday, February 7, 2015, at 11:00 am. A celebration of life reception followed at the Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd in Reno, Nevada, where friends were encouraged to share their love and stories of Toni.
Bishop Gene Savoy Jr. was honored to be asked to speak at the reception, along with her significant other of 19 years and a childhood friend.
Bishop Gene was happy to have shared Communion with her on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2014 at the Chapel of the Holy Child. This sharing was the last liturgical event she experienced before her passing eight days later on January 1st.
Toni was a member of various churches, and was active in the interfaith community and the Nevada Clergy Association (NCA). For many years she served on various NCA planning committees and with Rev. Gary Buchanan, music director of the Church, on musical selections and as part of the handbell choir. Most recently she helped to organize the Nevada Prayer Breakfast in April 2014, working closely with Bishop Sean Savoy.
Toni felt a calling to perform and lead music for worship. She was the Handbell Choir Director at Lutheran Church of the Good Shepherd, Reno, a Cantor at St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral, and recently Choir Director of Spanish Springs Presbyterian Church. In her private voice studio she taught musical artistry, coached students for auditions and performances, and mentored many young voices. Students, colleagues, friends and family will always remember her kindness, warmth, and the depth of her caring.
To allow Toni’s beautiful spirit to continue to bless the Reno community, a vocal musical scholarship is being established at the University of Nevada, Reno.