Victoria Gordon

On January 30th, 2024, Victoria Diane Gordon of Missoula passed away from complications of Pancreatic Cancer at her home surrounded by her family and friends. Vicky, the only girl among six children, was born August 25, 1949, at St. Patrick's Hospital in Missoula. Her parents were Lucille and Matt Gordon.

Vicky attended St. Anthony Grade School, Sacred Heart High School and graduated from the University of Montana with a master’s degree in German and a minor in Greek and Latin. After graduation, Vicky taught English to college students in Fussen, Germany. When she returned to Missoula, she worked for the law offices of Morales, Volinkaty & Harr. After leaving that firm she went to work for The Messenger newspaper where she learned layout and graphic design and gained many lifelong friends.

In 1981, Vicky and her brother Tim ran The Montana Photo Gallery in Virginia City. While in Virginia City, Vicky added more people to her list of friends. Upon leaving The Messenger, Vicky opened her own business, Quicksilver Graphics, where she helped various different publications with their graphic design needs. She also published her own periodicals including The Montana Journal, a monthly newspaper about the lives, people and history of Montana and, The Satellite Scholar, a monthly guide for universities and schools that allowed them to find different courses being broadcast on satellite in the days before such information was readily available. Vicky, always very technically knowledgeable, got her information for this publication from the internet before most people knew the internet existed. In addition, she was one of the first vendors on eBay and one of the initial users of PayPal. On September 12, 1985, Vicky gave birth to her son, Ian, whom she loved more than anything and who took his care of her in her final days. Vicky also owned a bookstore, Wildflower Books. After selling the bookstore Vicky worked many years for Eagle Satellite as their graphic design artist and advertising coordinator before retiring.

Vicky, ever industrious, remained active during retirement helping brother, Tim, with his estate sales and nationally noted appraisal service. Plus, she performed English-to-German and German-to-English translations for different publications.

In 2014, feeling there was a need for new blood in county government, Vicky decided to throw her hat in the ring for County Commissioner. Although a relative newcomer to politics, Vicky did very well, losing the election by a narrow margin.

Vicky had been caring for her mother Lucille at the house on Eaton Street and in 2002 they moved to the home on Miller Creek. Vicky continued to care for Lucille until Lucille's death in September 2002. Vicky loved her 3.8 acres on the river. She and family friend, Rick Martino, raised bees and offered the pasture for grazing of cattle. She enjoyed seeing the seasons change and the wildlife that inhabited her field. She especially enjoyed the spring when her trees and flowers would blossom. This also triggered the annual search for Lilac blossoms (a tradition started by her mother Lucille) where Vicky and her sister-in-law, Linda, would roam the alleys of Missoula spotting the best and most vibrant lilac blossoms and snipping a few for decoration of their homes.

Vicky was a great cook, and her home was always welcoming. During the holidays, she always made a place at the table for anyone. Her home was the gathering place of a wide array of friends and family. Everyone was always welcome.

Vicky was a devout Catholic who attended daily mass and was a devoted parishioner at St. Anthony Church. She was integral in getting Adoration of the Eucharist started at both St. Francis and St. Anthony churches. She was an RCIA teacher at St. Anthony Parish. She was a voracious reader, and collector of books and antiques and a knowledgeable internet marketer. Vicky loved everyone and was the glue that connected her family. If we needed to know what was happening with anyone we just contacted Vicky. To know her was to love her. She will be greatly missed.

Vicky is survived by her son, Ian, whom she loved dearly and was so proud of, also, close family friend Rick Martino. Ian and Rick and sister-in-law Linda have done an amazing job taking care of Vicky in her last days. The family would also like to thank all her many friends and family who offered many prayers for her and Partners in Home Care for its help and resources. Other survivors include her brothers, Tim, Pat (Linda), Mike (Cheryl), Dennis (Pauline) and Kenneth (Judith) and her sister-cousin Debbie Nelles and numerous nephews and nieces.

There will be a vigil on Thursday, February 16, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Anthony Catholic Church. Funeral Mass will take place on Saturday, February 17, at 10:30 a.m. at St. Anthony Church followed by interment at old St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery on Turner St. in Missoula.