Toni M. Irsfeld

Toni (DuBrino) Irsfeld passed away on Sunday, January 24th after living gracefully and courageously with cancer for five years.

Those who knew her would agree she lived a life full of laughter, love, and positivity.  She had a smile that not only lit up a room but could light up an entire auditorium—and on many occasions did.  A native of Massachusetts, she was born in Everett, and raised in North Brookfield in a Christian home where she developed a strong sense of faith that informed and guided her entire life.  She received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Assumption College and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College.  She loved her work and was passionate about improving the lives of children and families.  She worked at the University of Massachusetts Medical School for over 20 years in a variety of roles and was most proud of her contributions to the Communities of Care initiatives, the Commonwealth’s statewide network of Family Resource Centers, and the Child Trauma Training Center.  

Although she was passionate about her work, the most important things in her life were her friends and family.  To Toni, there was little distinction between family and friends.  She considered everyone she loved as family, and lived a life of humor, encouragement of others, and selflessness-- always positive with laughter that would brighten everyone’s day.  She was pre-deceased by her father, Michael DuBrino and brother Steven DuBrino.  She is survived by many who love her very much, including  her colleague, best friend, and husband, Anthony Irsfeld, her mother, Patricia DuBrino, her father and mother in law Peter and CarolAnn Irsfeld, her sister Wendy LaFave and her husband William LaFave, her brothers Joseph DuBrino, Charles DuBrino, and Samuel DuBrino, her nieces, whom she loved like daughters, Ashley DuBrino , Kaitlynn LeBel, and Sara LeBel, her step-son Brendan Irsfeld, her great nephew Carter,  and her nephew Julian and her niece Ava.  If one’s life can be measured by those you love and are loved by, Toni was a very wealthy soul.  Hers was indeed a life well lived, and an example to us all.

A period of calling hours will be held on Saturday, January 30, 2021 from 1-4 pm in the MERCADANTE FUNERAL HOME & CHAPEL, 370 Plantation St., Worcester.  Due to the current restrictions on public gathering capacity, her funeral service will be private. There is no burial, she will be cremated.  For those that would like to participate virtually, her funeral service will be live streamed on Saturday at 4:30 pm by visiting www.mercadantefuneral.com and clicking “live services” at the top of the website.  Masks and social distancing are mandatory at the funeral home during calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, if you feel moved to celebrate Toni’s life with a charitable contribution, she selected the following organizations that provided her with excellent care and support:

Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary (MEEI) in support of Dr. Derrick Lin Head and Neck Cancer Research https://www.masseyeandear.org/makeagift or mailed to the Mass. Eye and Ear c/o Development Office, 243 Charles Street, Boston, MA 02114 -or- Salmon Hospice, 37 Birch Street, Milford, MA 01757.  Please indicate that the contribution is in remembrance of Toni Irsfeld.

To share your thoughts and memories of Toni with her family, please visit her personal guestbook at www.mercadantefuneral.com