In Loving Memory ~
On March 27, 2023, after a good, long life, Victoria Read died peacefully at the age of 97, her son and daughter at her side.
Victoria was born in Revelstoke, BC, on February 1, 1926, to Antonio and Teresa Caracciolo. She grew up in a large family on a farm south of town where her parents settled after emigrating from Bruzzano Zeffirio, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
Antonio married Teresa as a widower with 6 children (Teresa, Fred, Frank, Kathleen, Mickey, and Jim), and they subsequently had 6 more children (Mary, Ann, John, Victoria, Nora, and Edith). Victoria recounted many fun times on the farm, despite growing up during the depression.
After attending Begbie School near her family home on Lower Loop Road until Grade 8, Victoria attended Revelstoke High School - a 4 mile round trip each day - and graduated in 1945 - the only child in her family to do so.
In her teens, Victoria was recognized as a hero for rescuing her nephew, Raymond, after he fell into a well. After graduation, she worked for a lawyer as a stenographer. She was married to Bill Hamill from 1946-1957.
At a house party in August 1959, Victoria met Stewart Read and married him the following April. They had two children - Rodney and Linda. Following several years of trailer life, Vic and Stew lived in their beloved home at the corner of 8th Street East and Orton Avenue from 1966 until 2018, when health concerns led to them relocating to Alberta near their children to receive the required care.
Victoria dedicated her life to her family and brightened the lives of all who knew her. She was known for her beautiful smile, her sweet, kind heart, her strength of character, her intellect, and her thoughtful, diplomatic nature.
She was an avid collector of antiques and vintage clothing, a seasoned picker of mushrooms and huckleberries, an expert meatball maker, a champion Scrabble player and bowler, a disciplined gambler, a lover of Sunday drives and going for coffee, a fiercely proud Revelstokian, and a devout Canucks fan. She had boundless energy and never stayed still - even in her final years as she lived with progressive dementia.
Victoria was pre-deceased by her loving husband, Stew. He has been waiting, impatiently, for her to join him since October 31, 2019. She is also predeceased by all her siblings except her little sister, Edith, with whom she and Stew shared oh so many laughs and adventures.
Victoria was well-loved and will be dearly missed by her sister - Edith, her children - Rod (Angel) and Linda (Geoff), her 4 grandsons - Josh (Kaylee), Kieran (Jena), Riley, and Blake, her 2 great grandchildren - Emma and Noah, and her many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
A Memorial service for Victoria will be held at Okotoks Alliance Church 322183 15 St E, NW corner of 338 Avenue & AB-2A, Okotoks, AB on Saturday, April 15, 2023, at 2:00pm.
A Celebration of Life and interment of ashes for both Vic and Stew will take place in Revelstoke, BC at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donation may be made to the donor's choice.
To email condolences, please visit www.snodgrassfuneralhomes.com
Snodgrass Funeral Homes