February 1, 1926 – March 27, 2023
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.
