Victoria Bloch Montalvo

September 7, 1944 - November 5, 2020

Victoria “Vicki” Montalvo, age 76, passed away unexpectedly in Oakland, CA, on November 5, 2020, from a fatal brain hemorrhage. She was born September 7, 1944, in New Britain, CT, to Zigmund and Helen Bloch and grew up along with her brother Paul, also deceased, in the small town of Plainville, CT.

Vicki was a beautiful, shy child who loved to read and watch her mother and grandmother cook beloved Polish meals in the kitchen. She would often reminisce of her days growing up in the Northeast and the friends she carried with her over the years from Plainville High School and the University of Bridgeport.

In her twenties, during a spring break vacation to Puerto Rico, Vicki met the man who would eventually sweep her off her feet, Jose Antonio “Tony” Montalvo. They married in December 1969, living first in Puerto Rico and then New York, eventually landing on a home in Miami, FL, where they raised their three children Kristin, Alex, and Marisa.

Vicki delighted in being a mother, and excelled at making moments with her family touching and special. She was a creative crafter and weaved the extraordinary and playful into the mundane. She cherished traditions－many she created herself－and in this vein holidays were her happy place. Vicki loved planning Christmas portraits, cooking family recipes, taking her kids to see the city’s most outlandish Christmas displays (while listening to Ann Murray or the Carpenters), and collecting ornament lines for her children, some editions of dollhouses and trains spanning more than 40 years. Sometimes Vicki would stay up all night wrapping gifts to ensure Christmas day was a bonanza of presents, a child’s Christmas dream. Needless to say, holidays will never be the same without her.

Vicki was also a talented seamstress and baker. She sewed intricate Halloween costumes for her children, and spent countless hours altering clothing, patterning curtains, and whatever odd flower crown or pillow came her way. Her cheesecakes, cookies and congo bars, sweetened many holidays and joyous bridal and baby showers.

Outside of these special days, Vicki was the epitome of a selfless mother. She consistently put her childrens’ needs before her own, making incredible sacrifices to ensure her children had everything they needed, and more. In doing so, she often struggled to make time for herself. She was a homebody by nature, though a homebody with an adventurous spirit, one who endlessly encouraged her kids and others to learn and try new things. She lived vicariously through her kids, encouraging them to live and study abroad, work in new cities, or backpack around the world. Vicki was always there to lend an excited ear to hear every detail, and be the stable rock to come home to. She possessed a comforting and quiet strength.

Vicki’s selfless service extended beyond her children. After her children left for college, she worked at St. Thomas Episcopal Parish School in Coral Gables, FL, where her youthful, caring spirit could be surrounded by students on one side, while helping care for the members of the congregation and the local community on the other. Vicki retired from St. Thomas in 2009 to care for her terminally-ill husband Tony at their home before his passing in 2010.

After Tony’s death, Vicki reimagined her life, and left her home after 31 years in Miami to be closer to her daughters on the west coast. In 2011, along with the help of her son Alex, she packed up a moving van and drove across the country for a once-in-a-lifetime road trip. The cities and landscapes of New Orleans, San Antonio, New Mexico, opened up to a renewed sense of hope in starting life all over again in the Bay Area. Here she helped plan marriages and welcome two new grandkids into the world. Kristin and Marisa reveled in having their mom close again, and Sunday family dinners with their significant others became a weekly tradition, along with trips up and down the west coast.

In 2015, Vicki moved to the Oakland Hills to live with her daughter Kristin, son-in-law Rob, and her granddaughter, Sienna. She was instrumental in taking care of Sienna and her grandson Phoenix. Both children loved to spend time at “Grammy’s” apartment and it brought Vicki immense joy to be able to see them grow.

Vicki adored her kids, grandkids, numerous friends, and copious amounts of pets over the years. Because of Vicki, it’s always been known if a stray pet found themselves at the Montalvo’s, they hit the jackpot.

The world feels emptier without Vicki. Everyone misses her smile, her laugh, her countless quirky questions, and her playful passion for her children and grandchildren, who loved their outstanding Grammy.

Vicki is survived by her three children Kristin, Alex, and Marisa; their spouses Rob Whitlock, Christian Jeria, and Johnny Shum; and two grandchildren, Sienna and Phoenix Whitlock. All of whom she loved beyond belief and touched deeply.

Due to Covid-19 precautions, we will be celebrating her life on a very intimate basis this Sunday November 15th at 1:30pm PST / 4:30pm EST at Kristin’s home. We welcome extended friends and family to join the memorial virtually; access details will be provided separately via a Facebook post, or contact the Montalvo family for details.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a cause that was important to Vicki, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) at www.aspca.org.

See Condolences

I am so sorry for you loss. I just remembered that I had not heard from Vicki in quite a while. I graduated from high school in 1963 and we were keeping in touch by Facebook. She will be truly missed. We both were together with wanting Trump out of office.

David and I were very sad to hear of Vicki's death. She will be fondly remembered at St.Thomas because of wonderful smile and her soft pleasant voice that greeted everyone who walked into the church office. Fondly, Diana and David Propeck

I just found out today about Vicki”s passing. I worked with Vicki at St. Thomas for many years. She was one of the sweetest and kindest people that I have known. Please accept my sympathy. I know how much Vicki loved her family and spoke with so much pride about all three of her children. May she Rest In Peace! ?❤️

Wow, this is one of the sweetest and most moving celebrations of life I have ever read. What an incredible life she lived, and what an amazing legacy she passes on in all of you. My heart is with you during this time. Wishing you all peace and time with each other to heal and honor her amazing life. Sending you love from afar, and counting down the days until I can hug you all in person. ❤️❤️

Dear, Kristin, Alex, and Marisa. Sending you all my love. I love your family and have great childhood memories with all of you. May bright bright days shine tomorrow and into the future. Love, Richard Guaty

Peace of mind is a call away. We’re here when you need us most.

We met Vicki & Tony in Miami 1979! We were neighbors. We all became family, raising our six kids ( same ages ) together ? We have beautiful memories celebrating birthdays, going to the beach, parks and keeping busy with our families. Vicki was a great mom always there for her kids & mine , when I needed a sitter. She loved moving to California to be closer to her daughters . My last conversation with her , she said how happy she was to be there and loved being a grandma to Sienna. She told me you just wait. You’ll live forever in our hearts Vicki ❤️ Love, Lilly & Rafa

Remembering her wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in our hearts. May she rest in peace!

Hola Alex pido fortaleza para usted y su familia, la madre es uno de los seres más amados en la vida y perderlo es un trago amargo. Me encanta la pequeña historia de ella, una gran mujer, excelente ser humano, madre y abuela. Un abrazo a la distancia amigo. Magda.

So sad to here of the passing of such a beautiful mother of Kirstin and Rob. I’d only met her briefly. But she seemed like such a kind soul. It’s so hard to lose your momma. Revel in all your precious memories and the joy she gave to you all. Much love to you all. Give each other a big hug for me.❤️❤️❤️

My heart almost stopped when I heard of Vicki's sudden passing We have been friends for over 50 years through joys and sorrows I will miss her and pray for her always and for her beloved children and grandchildren Susan Lumley

What a beautiful life Victoria lived, filled with such deep and secure love for her family. This was a lovely obituary, and I can feel the big hole that now exists without her. Sending you all healing and love as you traverse griefs doorway for your mother and Grammy. Rest In Peace Victoria. You loved so well.

Oh mama Vicki, I was incredibly saddened to hear of your passing. Thinking and sending my best to all the Montalvos in this difficult time.

Vicki was a staple of my childhood in Miami. There was a comfort going to the Montalvo’s. Tony made sure there was always a fresh supply of homemade grape leaves and Daily Bread goodies. Vicki was holding down the fort in her stylish MooMoo and slippers, asking questions about where all the kids were off to. Vicki was always so kind towards me. Even as an adult she made sure she wrote a special message on my Facebook page for my birthday, or thoughtful remark on a picture she liked. One memory that stands out is when Vicki tried curling my hair in high school when Alex and I had some fancy event. My hair was long, straight, and fine. The curls never took however, it was a sweet moment I had with Vicki. I got to see her as the doting and caring mom her kids knew her to be. I will miss her sweet, understated presence. I feel honored to have known Vicki for these many years. I see her in each one of her beautiful children. She will be missed immensely.

Please accept our deepest condolences for your family's loss.