Tobi Lou Perkins, age 65, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on Friday, July 10, 2026, in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Tobi’s bright light, passion, warmth, love of nature, and her adventurous, fun and engaging spirit will be forever missed.
Tobi was born on December 16, 1960, in Glendora, California to Emerson T. Perkins and Nancy Louise Irvin. She was raised in Southern California, beginning her high-ranking softball career as a young child, playing after school in the neighborhood streets of her home. She was always full of adventure, throughout her life, and brought great joy to her family while enjoying boating, dune buggies, building go-carts, fishing and camping throughout her childhood.
Tobi was a shining star on the softball field, featured on television batting against the famous Hall of Fame pitcher Don Sutton, and often photographed flying over home plate by the Los Angeles Times. She earned a full athletic scholarship to Cal State Fullerton for softball as the starting center fielder. She was critical in helping that team participate in the Women’s College World Series all four years she attended and reaching the National Championship game 2 years in a row, earning the highest of honors.
She was also a sworn member of the LA City Fire Department for 30 years, working initially as a Firefighter, then a Paramedic, before promoting to Fire Inspector, Captain I and finally to EMS Battalion Captain. Over the course of her career, she served multitudes of people in this diverse city, helping people, saving lives, and teaching new recruits and Paramedics. At the end of her career, she was honored by many organizations throughout the city of LA for her work.
Tobi met the love of her life, Kathy McCune in the summer of 1980 playing fastpitch softball in Calgary, Alberta. At summer’s end Tobi returned to Cal State Fullerton to continue her college education and softball career while Kathy returned to Lethbridge, Alberta to further her university studies. This chance meeting in Calgary was the start of an enduring friendship and would eventually blossom into a love-filled relationship upon another chance meeting again in Calgary in 1997. For the next 29 years Tobi and Kathy would be inseparable, building their careers in Los Angeles and then eventually traveling throughout Canada and the US in their RV and the occasional trip overseas. Together they touched the lives of so many others, role modeled deep love, laughter, empathy for others, humility, integrity, and making the most of life.
Tobi is survived by her wife Kathy, sister Emily, sisters in law Nancy and Karen, brothers in law Russ and Dave, nieces and nephews Brianne, Ben, John, and Taylor, cousin Margie and lifelong friend Jan, as well as her beloved dog Spenser.
Celebrations of Tobi’s Life will be held on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 at 2:00 pm in the Sequoia Centre at McCall Gardens, 4665 Falaise Drive, Victoria, BC, Canada, and on Sunday, August 30, 2026 at 11:30 am at Marine Landing, 5865 Appian Way, Long Beach, CA, USA.
In lieu of flowers a memorial contribution may be made in her name to the BC Cancer Foundation or the Samuel Oschin Comprehensive Cancer Institute at Cedars Sinai Medical Center.
Condolences may be offered to the family at below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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