Sympathy

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I want to send you all my sympathy for your mother. Even though a person like your mother that lived almost a century and brought up such a son could have been tired the past month as you describe it, the irreversibility of some facts is just hard to accept even for people that can grasp complex meanings.

I again wish you all my sympathy,

Aris (Moustakas)

I am very sorry to hear that Vicki has died, she was a real pleasure to know and a tremendous example for all of us "young things" (a relative expression). I feel very privileged to have had the opportunity to meet her and am really enjoying reading her books, her voice comes through loud and clear.

I am sorry to say I will not be able to come to the funeral/memorial service as I am in Sweden at the moment. I will certainly be with you in spirit if not person tomorrow. Best wishes.

Deborah (Power)

Thank you for letting us know the sad news. Mother was our oldest friend whose company we always enjoyed and whose erudition we always admired. We remember she and your dad enlivened our lives and the wonderful friendship we developed in her later years. Her love of nature was contagious and our trip to the Galapagos islands was an experience never to be forgotten. Mother had the ability to charm everybody with whom she came in contact. Her memory will be embedded within the innermost recesses of my mind.

Ruth and I will miss her. We share your loss. Sorrowfully Ruth and Ben (Littman)

Barbara and I have just received this sad message..... Vicki was such a lively person both physically and intellectually and I am sure that she remained that way until the end. I remember her at your wedding in Portugal where she danced much more that many of the younger folks and I wound up escorting her to the door of her apartment (it was 2 A.M.!). She obviously lead a very full life; nevertheless we will all miss her. We still have the book of her recipes though!

Our thoughts are with you and your family. We offer our condolences to you and Emilia and hope that you will both be well until we see you again.

Very Sadly Yours Allan & Barbara (Cembella)

Thank you for your message. When my 91-year-old mother's time comes, I hope to convey the news with some fraction of the sensitivity and eloquence you have modeled.

There was/is/will be no one like Vicki. I am privileged to have been her long-time friend and admirer.

Jack Mahoney

Vicki was an extraordinary person and she touched many many people in her long and very productive life. As you said she was ready to go. I know that was true of my Mother as well and I couldn't wish otherwise for her, but I still miss the woman she was and I am sure you feel the same about Vicki. I am so glad you were able to give her a home in Portugal and that she lived out her final years with you to care for her. If there is anything I can do for you please let me know.

Sincerely, Donna (Silvert)

I am very sorry to hear about Vicki passing away. She was a remarkable lady and it was wonderful to have met her.

Our condolences for your loss, Karim and Gabriel (Erzini)

My prayers are with your family. I was blessed to have met her.

Kelly E. Capolino

Ellie and I were very saddened to hear of Vicki's passing. We loved her like she was part of our family. We will always remember her and the interesting life she lived. If there is anything we can do please let us know.

Love Always,

Jerry & Ellie (Aldridge)

Please accept our sympathy on the death of your mother. To lose anyone close is hard, no matter what the age. But as you say any decision to minimize suffering has to be the right thing to do. How empty the house will feel for you and Emilia right now. You are both in our thoughts and we will be thinking of you tomorrow afternoon during the service.

Barry (& Margot Hargrave)

Although 99 it is very sad to receive this news. She was indeed a remarkably lady. Being able to read, tell stories, go to the pool at the age of 98. She carried the knowledge of reduced capabilities with great dignity. It has been an honour to know her, and I will remember her for showing to everybody of us how effort and determination can bring joy. She was a great lady!

Please accept our support and thankful thoughts during these sad moments.

Ana and Peter (Bossier)

My condolences to you, to Emilia and your family. Your mother has reached a wonderful age.

Martin Baptist

So sorry to hear of Vicki's passing. I'm sad for your loss.... and mine. So glad to hear she was at peace and simply slipped away.

Vicki and I had many experiences together and I'll always remember her humor in circumstances we found ourselves involved in. She was a special person in my life and I'm a better person for having her touched my life.

Bill, she was always so proud of you and your accomplishments and talk about your brilliance. She also was happy you found Emilia.

Take care of each other and thank you for emailing me. My thoughts are with you. Our loss is great.

Beverly (Kronquest)

Sorry to hear of your mother’s death. I did not know her but often heard you speak of her with great fondness. I am certain that she will be missed by all who knew her. From your accounts it appears that she was very fortunate to have lived a very long and productive life.

Sheila and I send our warmest regards and sympathy to you and Emilia and your family.

Paul and Sheila (Keizer)

Our condolences on Vicki's passing.

And our admiration for all you've done for her in recent days and years.

Our memories of Vicki will soon extend to emphasize her love, wit, and wisdom.

Love, Bruce and Phyllis (Rosenblum)

Mary Lou and I are distressed but not surprised by the news about Vicki. We thank you for letting us know.

Vicki has many friends in Northwest Connecticut who will want to know the news. If you will send me a brief synopsis of her life and vital statistics, I will see to it that an obituary is published in The Lakeville Journal.

Regards. Bob Estabrook

Vicki Oppenheimer, a long time Breakers resident and friend, died. Please see her son’s email below. I know that you join me in giving the Oppenheimer family our best wishes. Vicki lived a full and wonderful life. Each of us is left with some wonderful memories of her at the Breakers. She will be missed.

Bill Wheeler

É o rumo natural da vida. Um dia seremos nós. Os meus sentidos pesames. Um abraço.

Pedro Pousão

I'm so sorry that Vicki died but am especially sad that the last two years of her life were filled with such pain. I read the obituary and it seems just fine. She certainly had a long and full life.

Love, Valerie (Oppenheimer)

Hearing the news of Aunt Vicki's death this morning has truly saddened me. My Mom just had major back surgery last week and is now doing fairly well. She will be released tomorrow from the hospital and will be transferred to a short term rehab center for a couple of weeks. While "sitting around the hospital" our conversation at one point lead to Aunt Vicki. I told my parents just this week how disappointed I was that none of us could make the trip to Portugal to help celebrate her 99th birthday.

Aunt Vicki was always one of my favorite relatives. She was smart and witty and always spoke her mind. These are characteristics I have always admired in a person. Aunt Vicki and I shared several interests and I loved to talk to her about food and recipes and most importantly our family history. My grandmother Gussie was a very special person in my life and because she died so young, I always found it very comforting to be around Aunt Sadie and Aunt Vicki. I loved hearing the tales of their youth and growing up in New York. I felt a strong family bond when I was with them and have only the fondest memories of them. I will really miss her.

This being said, I want to let you know how very sorry I am about her passing. She led a wonderful and full life and I truly believe she is in a better place now and is at peace.

Please keep in touch and know that you are in our thoughts.

Much love,

Lori and David (Wrubel), Bobbe and Sy (Slater)

Who should be so lucky as to live to 99, be living with a caring family and just slip peacefully away? No doubt it will be difficult for you to get used to the fact that she is no longer with you and that you are now part of the senior generation of the family.

You have seen sickness and death on both sides of the family since we were with you several years ago. May you be the stronger for it.

We are in fairly good health, but arthritis is slowing me down. Our best wishes to you both at this milestone of your lives.

Isabel and Ken (Mann)

Please accept my deepest condolences for your mother's loss. She was an exceptional woman for her generation in a myriad of ways, not the least her personal accomplishments of academic achievement and publishing success. For me, she was an especially kind, loving mother-in-law, as brief as it was. I shall always remember her with the greatest fondness.

Diane Powell

My sincere condolences. Despite the age, it is nevertheless a shock when you realize that someone very close to you is now gone, and will never again be there. Thanks for sharing your message. Makes me feel like more than just a friend; almost like family.

Will you be sitting shiv'a?

I know it sounds somewhat contradictory at this time, but despite the sadness, i'd like to wish you and Mi a shana tova.

All the best from Shorashim,

yours, Dror (Angel)

Bob Estabrook called me at work yesterday to tell me of Vicki's passing. A day when Portugal was splattered throughout the media due to the McCanns. I didn't need that to remind me of Vicki. All I needed was to look outside at the house she lived in next to me and the rose she gave me before she moved. It has become known as "Vicki's Rose" and I have brought the beautiful blossoms to work with me this summer at Noble Horizons for all to share.

I firmly believe that the good Lord puts people in our lives at certain times for a reason. Vicki came into my life when I very much needed her. She was a book of stories and a fountain of intelligence and kindness. We shared many afternoons sitting on her deck talking. We cooked recipes from her cookbook. My trip to Naples, Fla. to return her was one which allowed me time to stop the madness in my life (my husband had been diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1996) and gave me the opportunity to think about where I was and where I was going.

My sons, John and Jason, also extend their sympathy to all her family which she so loved so much. I have the luxury of keeping Vicki alive in my heart. She was a good friend to me.

I feel privileged having known her. Jane McGarry

Please accept our deepest condolences for your loss. Your mother was a very special person and it was an honour for us to have met her. We'll make it to São Brás today. Yours, Rici and Andreas Schuenhoff

Bill, I feel very sorry for you and I am close to you. Vicki was a very special person. I, for one, will miss her. Alessandro (Carpin)

I know your mother was elderly but I also know that it is always hard when they are gone even if you and they are ready. Please know that I am thinking of you. My condolences.

love Catherine (Ritchie)

Jeff and I were deeply saddened by the news of Vicki`s death, but her long and full life is cause for celebration. She contributed so much to the betterment of the human race and to the planet on which we live.

We missed seeing her last winter on our annual trip to Florida, but are glad she was with you and Emilia during her last months.

I have several of her books and have given them as Christmas presents to family and friends. Her enthusiasm and sense of humor were contagious. She was instrumental in urging us to take a trip to Africa and even put us in touch with the young guide who planned and accompanied us. We became good friends and I know she had many!!

She will be greatly missed.

Thanks so much for including us with those notified.

Best wishes and Godspeed. Doris and Jeff Walker

I'm sorry to hear of your loss. It is truly the passing of the baton.

Cheers, Gareth (Harding)

I've been trying to pen words to paper to share with you all how I felt about Vicki but I find I am still too easily choked up to be coherent. Your words convey the depth of what I feel, all of us are better, stronger and more of what we are for having known her. It would have been enough to have known such a remarkable woman, but to be an adored member of her family: to benefit from her support and encouragement, even her criticism - once again, words fail me.

I love you.

Rivka (Silvert)

I am so sorry to hear about Vicki's passing. I did not realize that she had left Naples to join you, but what a wonderful thing for you both.

Vicki, as for so many others, was a truly special person in my life. In the early years we were involved in so many of the same environmental activities and subsequently the Conservancy. But most of all I relished the quiet cups of tea in her condo, the wonderful stories and the delicious cookies. And, what you may not know, was she shared so much excellent advice with me after Armond's death as my own father's Parkinson's disease progressed. It helped me to help my mother, which was an invaluable gift.

Vicki will be greatly missed. Thank you so much for letting me know. My best to you and your family. Ellie Krier

We are sorry for your loss. Although we did not meet your mother in person, we are sure she was a good and loving mother and friend to you. We also enjoy reading her book and fondly try the delicious cooking recipes from it. She was fortunate to spend her last days with her son. Peace be with her.

We know that it hurts. Our condolences,

Vladimir and Rita (Kostylev)

Although I had only a very short contact with her I do enjoyed those precious moments we spent together, her life stories and her wisdom. That's why I feel like having lost a good person with whom one could learn always a lot more...

The words you addressed to Vicky were very beautiful and knowing her a bit I felt those were the right ones. Thanks to you.

hugs, Ana (Bossier)

Thank you so much for letting us know about Vicki passing away. It saddens us to know that we are not going to see her lovely face again.

At the same time we feel privileged to have been given the chance to meet her and, although for a short time only, know her. She was a very special person and very dear to us.

Jack and Harriet (van Stolk)

I'm sorry for your loss. She will Live on the hearts of everyone who love her.

Thinking of you with sympathy, from Marlene (Gibertoni) and husband

sad very sad. a hug for you and Emília and John and the rest of the family.

I am heartbroken about Vicki. She was such a wonderful example of an inquiring mind and loving soul.

When coming to Naples, she was a salvation. She and Armand had wonderful dinners, and I was privileged to attend many of them. I can't believe she was her age; and, because she loved to eat healthy, it's hard for me to believe that she wasn't.

Please know she loved you greatly. You have a tremendous heritage to hold onto. Vicki will not be forgotten.

Please tell the rest of the family there's a lot of love surrounding you for letting us have your mom for so many years.

Most sincerely, Myra Daniels

I was so terribly sorry to hear of Vicki’s passing. She was such a wonderful lady, and it was always great to see her here at the Garden. I will miss her very much. She’s been on my mind a lot this summer, especially, given she had reached such a birthday milestone. And it was very exciting to hear how you’d introduced some of her favorite recipes to your café. In fact, after you told me that, I picked up both her books to read through them again.

It is good to know she is finally at peace, having lived an extremely full and vibrant life—a life that will certainly be celebrated for a long time to come. She was a remarkable woman, who has left a wonderful legacy.

Please extend my heartfelt sympathies to all your family members.

Sincerely yours, Gail (Brodhead-Kae)

All material on this page is copyrighted 2000-2007 by Violet Oppenheimer unless otherwise stated. None of this material may be reproduced for commercial use without permission. Please contact her son and webmaster William Silvert for further information. This page was last updated on 11-Sep-2007.