As an only child, two of Toby Deutchman’s favorite activities were reading and making up stories. She memorized parts of her favorite books and repeated them to herself as she walked to school … sometimes giggling along the way if they were funny. Stories inspired her imagination and when she finished reading she would often sit and write stories of her own. Stories could take her to a different place within herself and often by relating to the characters or situation she would gain a new understanding. Her joy of reading has never ended and she still reads books written for people of all ages. For several years Toby designed Head Start materials and worked with children in schools. For many years after that she worked with companies as a trainer, a coach and a counselor. In all of her experiences she found people young and old to be as open to stories as she was. Whether the stories were filled with humor or sadness, they responded and often learned a lesson they would not have learned in any other way. This response transcended the differences in their lives, be it age, education, economic status or ethnicity.

As Toby’s time became more her own she found continued joy in writing stories and poetry. Over the years she volunteered with many organizations, which included being a board member of the 24-hour suicide Hot Line in New York and as a counselor at family and adult homeless shelters both in New York and Florida, where she and her husband now live. Her daughter and grandchildren love reading as much as she and they pass books back and forth. Toby loves sharing the stories she has treasured with others. She believes that two of the greatest gifts we can give to each other are kindness and sharing.