Toby Bransky

Toby Bransky, 91, passed away peacefully at her home in Duluth, MN, the morning of August 16, 2024, attended by her family.

 Toby Bransky was born in Chicago, IL, on January 7, 1933 to Sylvia (neé Goldstein) Greenberg and Jacob Greenberg. She grew up in Chicago, where Toby learned tennis on the public courts with the rest of her family and became a nationally-ranked tennis player during her teens and early twenties. She enjoyed traveling to tournaments around the country with her father, who served as her tennis coach. Toby continued to enjoy playing tennis well into her seventies. 

In 1953, while finishing up at the University of Illinois, Toby met her husband Ralph in Chicago on a blind date. Ralph was enchanted with Toby’s warmth, enthusiasm, and intelligence. They married 11 months later, in November 1954. Toby made a home with Ralph and their children in Chicago, then San Bernardino, CA and Peoria, IL. She and Ralph retired to Santa Fe, NM and later settled in Duluth, MN. 

 Toby graduated in 1954 from the U of I with a BA in education, then taught third grade in Chicago for several years. After raising her three children, Toby re-entered the work world and joined Ralph in his Peoria surgical practice as office manager. While in Peoria, she also volunteered as a docent at the Lakeview Museum and served on the board of many charitable organizations.

 Toby was a kind and loving wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, and a friend to many. Her greatest passion was connecting with people, no matter the situation. She could become friends with a stranger in a matter of minutes, giving them her full attention when they spoke and asking wonderfully pertinent questions.

 Toby loved to travel the world and meet new people. She and Ralph went on long trips around the United States, and to Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, Japan, New Zealand, and several countries in Africa. They sought out unique experiences, meeting local artists, learning about their culture and collecting folk art. 

 What really put a gleam in Toby's eye were her many creative interests. She was a wonderful cook, made beautiful jewelry, pottery, and custom clothing. She volunteered as a docent at the International Museum of Folk Art in Santa Fe, where she especially enjoyed sharing her enthusiasm for folk art with visiting groups of schoolchildren.

 Toby began her struggle with multiple myeloma over ten years ago. She underwent different treatment regimens during the following years that permitted her to continue enjoying her life, though her progressive fatigue and weakness reminded us not to take our time for granted. In September 2023 she rallied to attend a family wedding, and amazed all with her enthusiasm and energy on the dance floor. Even in her final day on earth, she remained engaged with the world, asking after her family and friends, and grateful for the care she was receiving.

 Toby was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Babe and Vivian, and her brother Seymour.

 Toby will be dearly missed by her family and friends: Ralph, her loving husband of 69 years; her sons Keith Bransky (Helen Minnear), Griffin, GA; Aaron Bransky (Barb Parks), Duluth, MN; and Paul (Liz) Bransky, Soldiers Grove, WI; grandchildren David, Camber, Joel, Claire, Jacob (Helen), Martha, and Sarah; beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

 Toby's family would like to thank Drs. Nikcevich, Braddy, and Holliday and the Essentia staff for the kind and thoughtful care they gave Toby. 

 A memorial gathering will be held at Ecumen Lakeshore, Elsing Chapel, 4004 London Road, Duluth, MN, on September 7th at 1pm. A reception will follow in the Fireside Room.

 In lieu of flowers, we ask that donations be made in Toby's honor to one of her favorite charities: Evanston Community Foundation – David Mulder Mental Health Fund, Planned Parenthood, The Nature Conservancy, ACLU, Damiano Center (Duluth), or similar. 

For those who would like to join as observers via Zoom, please use this link.

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82770152770?pwd=OUkn3d7D0elKZi9u7bwzBibjDkI8uv.1

 Meeting ID: 827 7015 2770

Passcode: 020982