In Memory of Toni Ann Palermo

by B’Ann Gabelt

Sister Toni Ann Palermo SSSF, passed away on April 5, 2024, at age 91 years.

She had an amazing life, first as a professional baseball player before joining the convent. She was an educator and therapist in the Madison area for more than a half century. All of those accomplishments can be found in the links below.

However, she was also a tennis player in the Madison, WI area. We partnered for several years in the 80s and 90s and enjoyed many good times while traveling throughout Wisconsin playing in local tournaments. At one tournament in Milwaukee, we had to play against Barb Mueller, who had moved back to the area. After a sound trouncing, we asked Barb if she would give us some lessons. She also introduced us to the National tournaments. We proceeded to enter some and were hooked. 

Toni was a very outgoing and independent person – not your typical nun stereotype! In fact, when we first started entering the national tournaments, there was always a buzz about one of us being a nun. Most of the time, people initially thought it was me!

Injuries and accidents eventually made it difficult for Toni to continue with tennis, although she always had the goal of hitting balls again someday.

We got together for lunch annually around the New Year. She loved to reminisce about all of our tennis adventures of the past and the people we met. I always brought her a tennis ball can full of homemade Christmas cookies which she loved. She insisted I bring her 2 cans in recent years. I hope she was able to enjoy some that I gave her in February.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/madison/name/toni-palermo-obituary?id=54873862

https://catholicherald.org/local/sister-doctor-baseball-star/

https://journeyofmymothersson.com/2021/09/dr-toni-palermo-finding-her-calling-after-the-game/