11/26/2025
Toni Saint Francis Place
Toni St. Francis (Carrillo) Place, a Mental Health Technician II and life-long resident of the Willamette Valley passed away on November 11th, 2025, at the age of 63 while at Salem Hospital.
Toni is survived by her mother, Nellie Carrillo; her husband, Roger Dale Place; her three sons, Daniel Jacob Coffman; Lawrence James Coffman & Frank "Ponch" Berne Coffman; stepchildren, Michael Place; April Place; Angelique Mitchell & Crystal Mitchell. Sisters, Sharon Gonzales; Tami Siegfried, Marcillena Carrillo. Brother, Andrew Speten. Toni is preceded in death by her father, Frank Carrillo; brothers Richard & Wayne Speten & neice Cristina Speten.
Toni was born in Salem on December 9th, 1961, to Frank and Nellie Carrillo. She worked primarily as a Mental Health Tech at both the Oregon State Hospital as well as Good Samaritan in Corvallis for many years. She grew up in the Monmouth/Independence area working as early as 16 years old at Cedarwood better known today as Independence Rehabilitation Center.
Toni was joined in holy matrimony on October 24th, 1998, to Roger Dale Place. This union merged Toni's three sons with Roger's son and daughter, April & Michael Place. Toni's first marriage was to David Lee Coffman when she turned 18. This union produced all three of her boys. Toni's 2nd marriage in 1987 was to Randy Lee Mitchell and his two daughters, Angelique & Crystal Mitchell.
Toni was the epitome of what motherhood represents. The personification of unconditional love, sacrifice and strength. Toni always put her children's needs above her own, no matter what their age. She was no stranger to being called "mom" by countless others that weren't her own, a true badge of honor from the perspectives of fictive kin. A common phrase she used "A hand up is better than a hand out" while she encouraged self-sufficiency, she was often found guilty of the latter. The battle between kindness and tough love was a battle easily won. Her hugs were as warm as toast and her smile as sweet as sugar. You could often find her 3 chapters deep in a Stephen King novel or perusing the most recent sci-fi fantasy. Her love of nature was never in question, often immersed in the melody of songbirds occupying the backyard, her peach and pair tree served as perfect compliment to her perceived sanctuary.
Born a fraternal twin to her sister Tami, the two had an undeniable connection that stretched beyond their appearance. A non-verbal bond that couldn't be summarized in any amount of words, an affection so deep only the two of them could ever truly know. Toni admired all of her siblings from top to bottom; there wasn't a person she couldn't find the good in or didn't respect. Toni's marriage to Roger represented a devotion and joy the two brought into each other's lives that could not be contested or overstated. Having watched my mother grow with her life partner, I've never admired a marriage and companionship as strong as theirs, a true testament to love persevering. Not every mother earns her title, some leave sombering whispers that outlast their presence, mine left a deafening echo of maternal reverence, a crescendo second to none.
Toni's interests included coastal drives, heavy reading, bird watching, sci-fi shows, family time, date nights, love of pear and peach trees and deep one on one conversations.
A memorial service is scheduled for 1:00 pm on December 5th, 2025, at Fir Crest Cemetery 7925 Helmick Road Monmouth, Oregon
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