A Brief BiographyofVictoria "Vicki" Lynn (Brown) Heath
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Wife, MotherDaughter, Sister, Niece, AuntTeacher, Coach, Friend, Counselor
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| Vicki - 1987 |
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Victoria Lynn (Brown) Heath was born April 3, 1958 in Westfield, Massachusetts to Donald Paul & Evelyn Lucille (Dean) Brown. Her grandparents were Charles Obediah & Evelyn Dorothy (Cooley) Dean, and Edna & Merlin Brown.
She was the second child of six. Her siblings are Donna, Richard, Tammy, Roger and Michele.
She grew up in Westfield, Massachusetts, graduating from Westfield High School in 1976. Following which she attended and graduated from Westfield State College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Psychology.
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| Vicki & family |
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Vicki met Mike in 1986. Their relationship developed in large part due to their shared Christian faith. They were married October 24, 1987 on a beautiful fall day in the hills of Huntington, Massachusetts. Following a honeymoon in St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, Vicki & Mike settled in Westfield, Massachusetts.
Their first child, Ben, was born in 1998, and Emily was born in 1989.
In August, 1993, the family moved to Virginia Beach, Virginia and in 1995 Juli was born.
The most important thing to Vicki was her family. Vicki was a stay-at-home Mom until all of her children were old enough to attend school. Because she wanted to be at home when the children were home, including when they had school breaks, when she returned to work it was with the Virginia Beach Schools.
Vicki was very active in the children's' activities. She coached each of the children at some time during their participation with Neighborhood Youth Soccer in Virginia Beach; and she coached their indoor soccer and sand soccer teams as well; she volunteered with each of the children's numerous school, church, scouting and community activities. However, what Vicki enjoyed the most, more than the activities outside the home, were the quiet moments alone with her children. A simple game of cards; coloring; making cookies with the children, or helping them with their homework. These are the moments she looked forward to the most, and the moments which helped build her three children into wonderful legacies to Vicki.
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| Vicki - July 2005 |
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Vicki was diagnosed with Gastric (stomach) cancer in September 2003, and had her entire stomach, spleen and part of her esophagus removed in October 2003 to help "cure" her cancer. She patiently fought the cancer, one battle at a time.
From numerous chemotherapy and radiation treatments, to multiple hospitalizations to deal with the devastating effects of the surgery, treatments and side effects, Vicki opted to go through all the pain and discomfort if it would give her more time with her family and her family more time with her.
In March 2004, a complication of the prior surgery and treatments led to requiring Vicki's gall bladder be removed. She then enjoyed about one year of freedom from cancer, however, throughout that year she continued to have issues and hospitalizations due to her stomach removal and the related nutritional issues. She always looked on the bright side of her battle, focusing on things such as having to buy a size 1 dress for an upcoming family wedding, as the last time she had bought a dress the size was in the double digits. She loved when her friend and doctor, Bruce Waldholtz, MD, suggested (she would kid that he "prescribed") she eat as many Reeses Peanut Butter Cups and Cashews as she wanted in an effort to help her maintain her weight. This brought Vicki a new struggle of keeping her husband and kids away from her "prescriptions".In July 2005 Vicki experienced pain that was diagnosed as a recurrence of her cancer. Following a trip to Duke University where she received devastating odds, she resumed chemotherapy with a traditional protocol along with an experimental drug, in August 2005. In December 2005, she was given an "all clear", however in February 2006 the persistent cancer came back. Vicki wouldn't give up on her fight to live, so she resumed chemotherapy again, however the cancer progressed too quickly and she passed away on April 18, 2006.
While many would say she lost the battle with cancer, at her memorial service, her son said she "WON HER BATTLE" because now she was with the Lord. What a wonderful concept.
In the few days, weeks and months as Vicki struggled against cancer, it' became odd that the cancer, the very thing that was physically taking Vicki from her family and friends had also given her the opportunity to have a deeper focus on what in life was important. Through her fight, she (and her family) came to recognize the daily miracles and gifts from God; to see His hand prints on her life, from the greatest to the smallest of events. She had an unconditional love for her family and friends. At her memorial service her husband, Mike, said the cancer had brought them closer together with a deeper love as they shared the preciousness of life together as a family.
Vicki fought hard. She was hospitalized for approximately 200 days over the past 2 1/2 prior to her death and she never stopped fighting.
The last time she went in the hospital was April 6 and the surgeon said he expected her to pass away within 24 to 48 hours, and possibly that evening. What a shock, especially since she had been doing errands that day. But she continued to fight, especially for her family. As family and friends traveled to be by her side, she made sure she had time in the hospital to personally say I LOVE YOU to all of her family and numerous friends. While in the hospital, knowing she was passing away, she never stop thinking about others, from making arrangements for the Sand Soccer team she was to have coached in a couple months, to making sure her children, husband, family & friends knew how much she loved them.
Through her love, she brought others together.
This scholarship fund is not to mourn her passing, but to celebrate her loving us and letting us love her.
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