Obituary

Toni Pearsall Thomson of Newport Beach, CA died peacefully on April 13, 2025. She was preceded in death by her husband Gary F. Thomson and her parents Wallace and Lucille Pearsall.

She was born Antoinette Lucille Pearsall in Pomona, CA on November 1, 1955. She attended St. Joseph’s Elementary School, St. Lucy’s Priory High School (Class of 1973) and Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles (Class of 1977). Upon her college graduation, she worked with her parents in the fashion industry at the LA Apparel Mart, then used her business and marketing degrees at Hollywood Park, with the Chicago White Sox, the Los Angeles Olympic Committee ’84, and the America’s Cup ’87 in Perth, Australia. She and Gary married on June 12, 1986 and welcomed their son Cooper on April 7, 2000. She devoted her life to her family and friends.

Toni enjoyed participating in many sports, excelling in softball, (playing for the LMU team), swimming, tennis, skiing and golf. She was a great fan of baseball, especially the Dodgers and Angels. She will be fondly remembered as a dedicated alumna, planning many reunions and events for both her high school and college classmates.  She expressed her generosity and thoughtfulness by her signature handmade cards sent to celebrate special occasions of her family and friends; including rainbows, sunshine, dolphins and smiles. She must have sent thousands throughout the years, as she never forgot a birthday. Her precious Golden Retrievers played a big part in her life, with Matlock even becoming a therapy dog. It is hard to think of Astro Boy, Flipper and I Love Lucy and not think of Toni.

Toni’s courage and positivity never wavered as she fought cancer. As a family, we would like to thank the excellent and caring doctors and staff of KECK USC Hospital in Los Angeles and San Gabriel Convalescent Center in Rosemead, CA where she spent most of her last year. She is survived by her son Cooper G. Thomson, her sister Teri deJong, brother Sam Pearsall, nieces, nephews and extended family.  Toni had hoped to return to Maui, her favorite place on earth, thus it is fitting that her family and friends will celebrate her vibrant life there at a future date.