12 Comments

1. Perla Hodder
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   Mrs. Behrends,
   I am so sorry I could not find you sooner to thank you for the wonderful influence you were in my life. I’ve had wonderful teachers throughout my life…. But you are the one who pops into my heart and mind the most. You made a regular group of girls shine with pride , as you made us into the strong “ ROSIES” we are today. You took my essays and entered them into competitions I would have never done myself. You made me proud of myself, and I will never ever forget it. You were the best on this earth, and now you’ll be the brightest in the heavens! Shine on , and one day we will meet again..

2. Alison(Renata) Reid-Bretell
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   Happy Birthday Vicki💜💙💚

3. Laurie Cohen
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   Vicki and I were English teacher friends. Vicki was a very accepting and open-minded teacher and friend. I think that is why many of her students felt comfortable around her. She also was an advocate for kids who felt marginalized. Vicki used her creative talents to teach and make English and drama come alive for her students. She also loved teaching English as a second language and the kids enjoyed her creative flair for teaching..
   I always admired how Vicki embraced her Irish heritage and even traced her roots back many generations. She liked learning about other people’s cultures, as well..
   I was invited to Thanksgiving dinner with Bill and Vicki when I was single and enjoyed the warm hospitality and friendship.
   Later on, I enjoyed hearing about Meredith and Jonah . We even ran into them a few times when we brought our kids to the same park..
   I will remember Vicki as a unique, creative teacher. and artist who was open-minded and a friend who was good listener and very knowledgeable.. It makes me happy that in one of our last communications , she told me that life is precious and fulfilling to her..

4. Alison(Renata) Reid-Bretell
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   I met Vicki within the first year of starting my acupuncture practice almost 30 years ago.
   When she was still teaching she became a patient and later a friend as she began to learn and then practice Cranio-Sacral therapy.
   She dove into her new career with so much passion it was amazing to watch.
   Her creativity, her deep desire to help others, and her everlasting pursuit of knowledge were all hallmarks of this woman- undeniably Vicki traits.

   Strive on my friend. You will be missed.
   Love,
   Alison

5. Sheila G.
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   I met Vicki in high school. It was during a time when I was experiencing a lot of growing pains. She made me feel welcome, and she made my tough times, more manageable. I am grateful she remained in my life all of these years. I will truly miss conversations with her. May she shine bright on the other side. To me, she always was a star, that was able to shed light wherever she was.

   Love to you always, Vicki.

6. Brenda Dutton
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   Vicky was a very kind, intuitive, and spiritual person.. I know she is watching over her precious daughter, Meredith, and her brilliant grandson, Jonah. She is home with the Lord but will be forever missed here on earth.

7. Margaret Robertson
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   I am sad that Vicki has passed but I believe she is in a beautiful place of joy which she so deserves . I am Vicki’s sister in law, she was so encouraging to me and I know she was so caring to others also. May we all remember her kindness and strive to resemble it

8. Victor Lievanos
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   I can’t imagine not having had Vicki in my life. She help me thru a very difficult time and I will never forget her for it. I love the time we spent together, form guiding me thru the plays or just with my troubles as a kid. I love you and I will miss you very much.

9. April
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   My Aunt Vicki was the coolest. Seeing her was always a delight as a child. She had a warm and adventurous heart. Her smile lit up the room and I always felt deeply loved by her.

10. Julann Ducharme
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    I am honored to be able to celebrate Vicki. She touched so many people and changed so many lives during her time here. A gentle and loving soul who was a caretaker for all mankind.

11. Glen Gertmenian
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    1969. Nearly 56 years ago. That’s when I first met Vicki. She has been a friend ever since. It’s difficult to believe all that time has passed so quickly.

    Vicki was my drama teacher and, more importantly, my debate and public speaking coach, during my junior year in high school. I think it may have been her first year of teaching . . . I’m not positive . . . but her impact on my life was larger than you can imagine.

    Vicki took a poor kid from Rancho Cordova and treated him like an adult. She invited me into her home, taught me to speak, to write and to reason well. She taught me to be organized, and she encouraged a calm demeanor. These skills served me well through my entire life. In my career, they were the very most important skills I had. I was successful because Vicki taught me to be successful. I am eternally grateful.

    Vicki and I stayed in touch, to one degree or another, all these years. We visited occasionally and spoke more often. She never failed to send one of those on-line, animated greeting cards, for every special occasion – especially St. Patrick’s Day. She painted wonderful portraits of my husband and I, and even of our dog. We worked together to do some photo art of her beloved grandson.

    I have tried to think of my most memorable image of Vicki. There are so many that it isn’t easy. For some reason, though, one image comes to mind. Years ago, perhaps when I was home to Rancho Cordova over a college break, I dropped by Vicki’s house to visit. She taught me to make guacamole, one of the first things I ever learned to prepare. It’s such a simple memory, of the two of us standing in the kitchen, Vicki mashing avocado and my squeezing lemon juice. It’s an intimate memory, really. I will hold it dear for the rest of my life.

12. Art Arquilla
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    I met Vicki back in 1987 when she opened a mailbox at my postal store and we became great friends. My daughter was in theatre productions and Vicki would help, give advice and go to my daughters plays. Vicki always helped me with any physical issues that I was dealing with…We would talk often about things going on in our lives and I will miss that friendship. Vicki was such a positive person in my life and she will be missed by all her friends….