Born in the small town of Wetumka, OK, Colleen Toy White achieved more in her lifetime than anyone has a right to expect. She was the fourth of five children born to Bass and Bula Moore. Her father was the town constable and she recalled, as a young girl, driving the car to transport local prisoners to the county seat. She remembered her father giving each prisoner a dollar to get a meal upon release.
As a young mother, she and her first husband, Dale, lived in Florida while stationed at Egland Air Force Base. Their children included Misty, Christopher Dale (deceased) and Kevin.
After moving to Ventura, Toy attended Ventura College, earning an Associate’s Degree. She later attended Ventura College of Law where she graduated and was admitted to the California Bar in December, 1977.
As a deputy District Attorney, she began her career prosecuting misdemeanors at a field office in Camarillo. Through dedication and drive, she rose to be Chief Assistant District Attorney, the second highest position in the largest law office in the County. She was a regular representative of the District Attorney’s office on the banquet circuit and at speaking engagements joked she seldom had to prepare her own meals, as she ate out so often.
In June, 1994, she ran for, and was elected to the Superior Court, carrying every precinct in the county. She was assigned to Family Law and began a twenty-three year career on the bench punctuated by many awards—both local and statewide. In 2007-2008 she was elected by her peers to be Presiding Judge.
During her career on the bench, she established the Veteran’s Court, the Dependency Drug Court and the Elder Abuse Court. Her philosophy reflected a desire to rehabilitate non-violent offenders where possible, rather than simply put them in jail. In 2019, the Veteran’s Court was named in her honor.
Toy will always be remembered for her compassion and fairness on the bench and her sense of civic duty. She was president of Interface Children Family Services and of Child Abuse and Neglect. She served on the board of Ventura College of Law and the Ventura College Foundation. She was named Chair of President Reagan’s Council on the Peace Corps and was offered the second highest position in the Department of Justice, though she turned it down to remain close to her family.
She was recognized for her leadership and innovation on numerous occasions receiving, among other awards, the Woodruff Deem Award, the Ben Nordman Award, the David Fainer Award, the Distinguished Alumni Award from Ventura College of Law, the 2016 Aranda Justice Award from the Judicial Council of California and in 2016, Toy was named Judge of the Year.
She is survived by her daughter Misty White of Camarillo, son Kevin White (wife: Vanessa) of Santa Paula, grandchildren Megan White of Ventura, Atticus and Esson Bliss of Missoula, Molly Rogove of San Jose, brother Bass Moore (wife: Wanda) of San Juan Capistrano, sister Kay Koehn (husband: Larry) of Tulsa and numerous nieces and nephews. She leaves behind her husband Arthur Bliss.
Education held a special place in Toy’s heart as it provides a path forward. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Toy’s name can be made to the Fund for VC, at the Ventura College Foundation, (4667 Telegraph Road, Ventura, CA 93003), or to Interface Children Family Services (4001 Mission Oaks Blvd., Suite 1, Camarillo, CA 93012) or a charity of choice.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, August 27th at 4:00 in the afternoon at Ventura Missionary Church, 500 High Point Drive, Ventura, CA with a reception to follow. Arrangements are under the direction of the BOYKO & REARDON TELEGRAPH ROAD MORTUARY & CREMATION, 15 Teloma Drive Ventura.