Antoinette ‘Toni’ DeFriez Skinner Hermiston April 25, 1966-February 20, 2016

Antoinette “Toni” DeFriez Skinner, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend, died February 20, 2016, in Hermiston, Oregon, at the age of 49 years. She was born on April 25, 1966, in Provo, Utah, to Stanley C. DeFriez and Joan Davis DeFriez.

Toni is survived by her mother and her siblings; her husband Kevin M. Skinner; and their children: Wood (Jessica), Conrad, Jace and Jancee Skinner. She was preceded in death by her father.

Toni grew up in Heber City, Utah, but called Hermiston, Oregon, home for over 23 years. She was the senior class president at Wasatch High School in 1984, and graduated from Utah State University in 1998 in marketing and finance. Toni fulfilled her childhood dream by graduating with a Doctorate in Jurisprudence from Brigham Young University (BYU Law Temple) in 1991.

Then the best thing happened. She met a tall skinny cowboy from a small town on a blind date. They dated for a short time and then married in the Salt Lake Temple. She was admitted to the Utah and Oregon Bar Association. Toni was in private practice in Hermiston, Ore., and was also county prosecutor for Umatilla County for many years. She was a dedicated lawyer and champion for the underdog. Through her law practice she truly did fight for justice for all. She gave her all to her clients, sometimes doing her work pro bono just to help someone who was in desperate need.

Toni was a devoted wife and mother, always putting her family before herself. She was a trusted friend and confidant always willing to bear others’ burdens. Toni was a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; she faithfully fulfilled many church callings.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016, at 10:00 a.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 850 S.W. 11th St., Hermiston, Oregon. Burial will follow at the Hermiston Cemetery, Hermiston, Oregon.

In lieu of flowers, please donate in Toni’s memory to Pet Rescue c/o Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, P.O. Box 289, Hermiston, OR 97838.

Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com

Burns Mortuary of Hermiston, Oregon, is in care of arrangements.