Toby's Light Forever Lives On: Join Us in Support

Story

In Loving Memory of Toby Atwood ’26 It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of Toby Atwood, Class of 2026, who collapsed and passed away on Sunday morning during a half marathon race in Erie, PA. Toby was one of those rare souls whose presence alone could light up an entire room. Always glowing with joy and positivity, she radiated warmth and happiness to everyone she encountered. Her ever-present smile and genuine enthusiasm for life made her impossible not to love. Toby brought energy, kindness, and a contagious laugh to everything she was involved in — and she was involved in so much. Toby was not only a proud member of Zeta Tau Alpha but also served as the sorority’s president, leaving a lasting and inspirational mark on the sisterhood and the greater Thiel College community. She was a true leader — compassionate, driven, and deeply admired. To her sisters, classmates, teammates, coaches, professors, and friends, she was more than a student — she was a role model, a light, and a friend to all. Her involvement on campus was as impressive as it was inspiring. Toby was the president of the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC), captain of the tennis team, a devoted member of the Thiel team, and active in multiple academic honor societies. An exceptional student, she maintained a 4.0 GPA as an accounting and business administration major, earning numerous scholarships, including a full ride from Thiel right out of high school — a testament to her brilliance and unwavering dedication. Toby excelled in everything she loved — wrestling, tennis, running — and poured her heart into all of it. It is both a sorrowful and heartwarming truth that she passed away doing something she was so passionate about. She was one of the most hardworking, resilient, and kind individuals one could ever meet. But above all else, Toby loved her family deeply. She often spoke about them with pride and joy, especially her mom, Brandi, who was not just her mother but her best friend. There was never a moment Toby wouldn't gloat about how her father would never miss a tennis match or how she was blessed with the coolest 2 big brothers anyone could ever ask for. She had an uncontrollable love for all of her family. There was never a moment where she wasn’t lifting up the people she loved — a reflection of the immense love she held in her heart. To know Toby was to be embraced by her kindness, her brilliance, her loyalty, and her light. She gave so much of herself to others — as a sister, a leader, an athlete, a student, and a friend. Her memory will live on in the countless lives she touched, and in the legacy she leaves behind at Thiel College and beyond. We will always remember you Tobs for any Post Malone, Nickelback, or Toby Keith song that comes on, for every Alani drink we see, or every Chipotle order that is placed <3 Our hearts go out to all who are grieving this unimaginable loss — especially her family. We will carry Toby’s spirit forward with us, always remembering the joy she brought and the strength she embodied. Please feel free to donate and help in any way possible, funds will go towards funeral arrangements and memorial. Rest in peace, Tobs. Your light will never fade.