Victoria Gabrys Christian

Victoria Christian

Victoria Josephine Gabrys Christian, 75, died on August 18th at Union Park Health Services after a long illness.

Victoria was born in Berwick, Pennsylvania on December 9th, 1943 to Joseph and Victoria Gabrys. She was proud of her Polish heritage. Her blue eyes, fair skin, sense of humor and her welcoming manner were precious to her.

Victoria was an educator; she loved learning. She attended Madonna College to earn a degree and teaching certification. She went on to earn her Masters degree at the University of Detroit. She taught talented and gifted students in schools in Detroit and North Carolina and then taught humanities at the college level in North Carolina and Georgia. Her last teaching position was at Holy Trinity on Beaver Avenue in Des Moines, where she worked for twenty years.

Whilst at Sacred Heart College in Belmont, North Carolina she met the love of her life, Ralph Christian. They dated very briefly before Ralph proposed marriage. Victoria and Ralph were married in August, 1968 and were married for fifty one years.

Victoria’s boys were an important part of her life. Her boys began as exchange students, but became lifelong friends. The boys lived in Victoria and Ralph’s home, while attending school. She loved it when they called her Mom. Jose was from Mexico; Konrad from Poland, Key from Mexico, Marcin from Poland, Matt from Poland, Mauricio from Ecuador and Zbyszek aka Z Man was from Poland.

Recently, Victoria said, “I don’t regret any of my life. It has been so full and the Lord has been good to me I have been so blessed with Ralph.”

She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years plus, Ralph J. Christian; foreign exchange students who were like children to her, Jose Esquer, Key Fujimura, Konrad Malendowicz, Mauricio Palomeque, Marcin Bania, Matt Schmidt and Zbigniew Bania; and aunts, Josephine, Sophie, Mary Ann and Michelle.

Victoria was preceded in death by her parents.

Victoria’s life will be celebrated at Hamilton’s Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m., Friday, August 23, 2019. A memorial service will be held at Union Park Health Services at a later date.

Condolences may be expressed at www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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