On November 5th, at the dimming of the day, Antonia Dobrec took her last earthly breath and joined the ancestors. She was a descendant of the Tolowa, Yurok, and Chetco peoples. She was born in Arcata. She was the last child of four, affectionately known as Babe. She was reared in Trinidad near open fields and redwood trees.

She went to Trinidad Elementary, Arcata High School, Del Norte High School, HSU, the University of Kansas, and the University of Oklahoma. In high school she excelled in sports and band, and while at Arcata High School she received the Circle A. In 1976 she received her MSW from the University of Kansas.

She had over 30 years of experience in providing training and technical assistance for Indian tribes and organizations. This experience was grounded in the planning, development, implementation, and evaluation of family based services. Her background in family services included: Head Start, adoption, foster care, and child protective services.

From 1980 to 1997 she was president and director of projects at Three Feathers Associates in Norman, Oklahoma. Her responsibilities during that time were vast and too numerous to list here, but know that it involved great dedication to indigenous peoples all over the USA.

She is survived by her nieces and nephews, Victor Dobrec, June Sullivan, Michael Dobrec, Sally Jones, Denise McKenzie, Leslie Patrick, Bill McKenzie, Mary Dawn Ford, Lee Dobrec, and Alexander, Robert, Francine, and Michael De La O, and their families.

Toni was preceded in death by her parents, Victor Anton Dobrec and Mary Mattz Dobrec Gray, her sisters Joann McKenzie and Carmen De La O, niece Kelly McKenzie, and nephew David De La O. We are very grateful to all those who provided care for Toni, including Hospice of Humboldt, the staff at St. Joseph Hospital, and the generous friends and “Angels” who were so caring and supportive. Donations in her name can be made to NIHSDA, P.O. Box 5508, Norman, Oklahoma, 73070, or a charity of your choosing.

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Antonia Dobric’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.