Vale Toowoomba Region’s Lady Mayoress

The Antonio family is sad to announce that last night Judy Antonio passed away at home after a 7 year battle with Motor Neurone disease. The family would like to thank the community for their support at this time. As per her wishes, plans will be made shortly to commemorate Judy’s life in a small, private family ceremony. We ask that you allow our family to grieve at this difficult time and thank you in advance for your thoughts and prayers.

Each day in Australia two people die from Motor Neurone Disease (MND). High profile sufferer and advocate Judy Antonio lost her seven year battle with MND in Toowoomba on Sunday night.

Diagnosed in 2009, the wife of Mayor Paul Antonio defied all odds to become a passionate ambassador for awareness of the incurable disease. Sufferers normally have an average life expectancy of 2.5 years when diagnosed. Mrs Antonio, however, continued to make public appearances with the Mayor at many functions despite being confined to a wheelchair in recent years.

“We can’t do survivor events because there are no survivors. I want to make people aware of it and we need money for research,” she said.

Toowoomba Regional Council has taken up the mantle for Mrs Antonio and is promoting community awareness to support further research for a cure. “Judy was a life-long resident of the Darling Downs and touched so many lives in our community,” Toowoomba Regional Council Chief Executive Officer Brian Pidgeon said.

“The last few years she has been a powerful advocate for MND awareness in this region.

Motor Neurone Disease (MND) is the name given to a group of diseases which cause the nerve cells (neurones) controlling the muscles that enable us to move, speak, breathe and swallow to deteriorate.

The Antonio family has asked that residents donate to Motor Neurone Disease research in lieu of flowers. Residents can donate in the following ways:

• Donate online at https://www.givenow.com.au/mndaq/donate. Leave a message why this donation is special to you. “I would like to give this gift in memory of Judy Antonio.”
• At Council Customer Service Centres which will have a donation box.