As we put this magazine to bed, it was with a heavy heart shared by us all at Partners by Design, LakeLife 24/7 Magazine and Discover St. Clair Magazine.
Our beloved graphic arts director, Toni Franklin, passed away on Aug. 13. Toni was instrumental throughout the history of this magazine, helping guide its success every step of the way.
From advertising design to logo creation to the early layout of the magazine, Toni did it all. But that’s the way she was. Whatever it took to get the job done, you would find her at the heart of it.
For those of you who weren’t lucky enough to know her, here’s a glimpse:
Her career spanned more than 30 years in the printing industry as print production artist, manager and art director. She was a graduate of the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale and studied at Penn State University and University of Alabama at Birmingham.
At her core, Toni was an artist. She could see the creation before most of us could even muster the idea for it. She turned the world around her into her canvas, taking the simplest elements and turning them into her own little masterpiece.
It might be an empty store window that magically becomes a winter wonderland at Christmas, an advertisement that compels a reader to take a second look or even a specially designed birthday wish for one of the grandchildren.
As graphic arts director for Partners, she created amazing ads for its magazines, Discover St. Clair and LakeLife 24/7. She loaned her talent to countless marketing projects for the company and to a host of community events, like Boo Bash, Salute to Veterans, Breaking Barriers and the Helen Keller Art Show of Alabama. Museum of Pell City owes her a debt of thanks for much of the beautiful graphics work in its exhibits.
Many of the designs in Partners’ LakeLife 24/7 apparel line are the handiwork of Toni and now worn by thousands of people because she was able to capture the memories and experiences of their perception of lake life in a single design.
To her friends, family and colleagues, she was known – and loved – for her enormous heart.
She was a giver, always putting the needs of others before her own. She never recognized the enormity of her own value, but those around her always will.
This issue of LakeLife 24/7 is dedicated to Toni. May her memory be eternal!.
Carol Pappas
Editor and Publisher
