In Loving Memory of Lois Ann Tokar 
August 22, 1942 – October 6, 2025 

We celebrate the life of Lois Ann Tokar, a loving mother, devoted grandmother and great grandmother, proud nurse, and faithful friend whose warmth and wit left a lasting imprint on everyone lucky enough to have known her. 

Born on August 22, 1942 to Stanley and Elsie Piasta, Lois lived a life full of purpose and heart.  At age 22, she married John Tokar, and they built a life and family together for 57 years until his death in 2021.  Lois passed away on October 6, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.  She left behind a legacy of selflessness, resilience, and joy. 

Lois graduated from the General Hospital School of Nursing in Wilkes-Barre, PA, and dedicated her career to caring for mothers and babies as a postpartum nurse at Holy Cross and Shady Grove Adventist Hospitals. Known as a warm, kind, and patient caregiver, she earned the admiration and affection of patients and colleagues alike. 

Although Lois’s circle of friends was not large, she held each of them close.  If she claimed you as her friend, you were her friend for life. 

Despite her reputation for being big-hearted, Lois was a fighter; she survived both childhood polio and breast cancer.  She faced those challenges with courage, grace, and an unshakable sense of humor. 

She filled her days with the little things that brought her joy—reading a good book, solving crossword puzzles, watching Jeopardy! and Wheel of Fortune, and playing bingo. Her sense of humor, silly little facial expressions, and funny sayings made us smile.  She also had a sweet tooth and a few favorite indulgences, including butterscotch candies, Nescafé coffee, and Entenmann’s pastries.  

But it was family and friends that were the center of Lois’s world. If there was a concert or sporting event or play or recital or ceremony or graduation or cookout or birthday party or celebration to be attended, she was there.  Her happiest moments were spent surrounded by the people she loved most. She enjoyed hosting family dinners—especially Thanksgiving, where her legendary stuffing and sweet potatoes always took center stage. Her breakfasts of bacon, eggs, and toast were a family favorite, and her macaroni salad, potato salad, Rosie Cozy burgers, and Polish piggies became cherished family staples. 

Her love for her family was deep and unconditional. She took immense joy in every accomplishment—big or small—of her children, grandchildren and great grandchild. She is survived by her loving children: TraceyAnn Smith and her husband, Jeff, Cynthia Hall and her husband, Brian, and Michael Tokar and his wife, Kelly—whom she proudly introduced to each other. Her legacy lives on in her cherished grandchildren, who affectionately called her Memaw: Kristen, Matt, Josh, Sarah, Zach, Rachel, Abby, and Mackenzie, and in her great-grandchild, Eden. 

Lois Tokar was the heart of our family—loving, funny, strong, and endlessly proud of the people she cared about. Though she is no longer with us, her spirit will live on in the memories we share, the traditions we carry forward, and the love that ties her family together. 

She will be deeply missed and forever remembered. 

A Funeral Mass in honor of Lois’s life will be held on Saturday, December 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Libertytown, Maryland. A luncheon will follow in the church hall, where family and friends are invited to gather, share stories, and celebrate Lois’s life. 

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lois’s memory to Kline Hospice House. Contributions can be made online using this link: https://www.frederickhealthhospice.org/donate-support/