Victoria A. Aburto-Pereira

On Aug. 1 the family of Victoria A. Aburto-Pereira celebrated her life at St. Stephen’s Anglican Church in Oak Harbor. Victoria passed away on July 27, 2006 at Whidbey General Hospital. Our mother was a loving, wonderful person and a great friend to many people in the community. Her passing brought together several relatives from the West Coast, and many of her co-workers from New Leaf.

Victoria loved to take care of people; she worked as an E.M.T in Southern California, she cared for her mother while she was dying from Alzheimer’s. Everyone who knew our mother was blessed to feel her love and compassion. She was always there to offer a warm blanket and a cup of coffee or tea. Victoria would take time to listen and help whoever came to her; she was a wonderful listener and always tried to find the best in people. Her laughter was contagious, and she could take a bad situation and turn it into something comical. Victoria made a second family when she began work at New Leaf, through her strengths and natural ability to lead, she became a crew supervisor. Our mother was the epitome of the Mother Hen; she drew those who were lost into her arms and tried to help them the best that she could. Victoria will be missed by her family and friends and will always remain close to their hearts.

Victoria is survived by her five grandchildren, Olivia Vandergrift, Cory Roberts, Christian McCabe, Dylan Roberts and Layla Roberts, all of Oak Harbor; her children and their spouses, Missy Bradway and Hank Vandergrift, Tom McCabe and Jenna Harrison, and Amber McCabe, also from Oak Harbor. Victoria also leaves behind her life-long soulmates, Jan Bradway, John McCabe, and John Pereira. Victoria was number six out of 12 children; she leaves behind her sisters and brothers as well as several nieces and nephews. Our most sincere thanks to the wonderful RN’s that cared for our mother in her last hours of need, Sandra and David, we can never repay your kindness and understanding. Burley Funeral Chapel arranged Victoria’s services, thank you to Jim and Cathy for all your help and guidance through this difficult time.