Victoria Van Aken, 61, of Morgan Hill, CA succumbed to a rare sarcoma cancer after a six-week fight on January 23, 2018.  Victoria was born and grew up in Brooklyn, NY graduating from James Madison High School in 1974.   Victoria moved to California in 1976 and met her husband whom she dated for 5 years and was married to for 32 years, William John Van Aken, Jr.  Victoria is survived by her son William Van Aken III, her daughter Rachel, her grandchild William Van Aken IV, her brother Anthony Raiola, her sister Francine Raiola, her late sister Camille, mother Concetta and father Frank.  She is survived by many cousins, nieces and nephews.  Victoria received a degree from West Valley Community College and then started her own interior design business in Los Gatos for two decades.  Her great love of children led her to work with the Morgan Hill Unified School District at San Martin Gwinn Elementary and Live Oak High School.  Victoria was a devoted and loving wife, mother, proud grandmother, sister and friend to all.  She championed her children through sports and cheer teams becoming a second mom to those she met along the way.  There was not a baby, toddler nor child that would cross her path that did not become mesmerized by her light and instantly fall in love with Victoria.  She had an eye for fashion which was only accented by her New York high style roots and cast upon the small town of Morgan Hill.  She helped many young girls/ladies get the right look and always reminded the girls to know their worth, show respect and speak their minds with the consideration of being good and decent to others.  The same teachings applied to young boys/men to treat women and elders with respect and maintain traditional values of family and hard work.  Victoria was a proud mother and grandmother who loved to share stories and pictures.  Upon greeting one she would say, "Do you know my daughter Rae Rae, have you met my Billy, or have I shown you a picture of my little grandson William?"

Victoria had enormous Italian pride and made sure everyone knew that she was full blooded Catholic Italian and not to be messed with.  In spite of her husband's Dutch heritage, it was made clear to her children, and others, that they too were 100% Italian.  Her culture was also instilled in events and family holidays by making sure a homemade pot of sauce, meatballs, chicken parmesan and lasagna were served to her loved ones.  Victoria's big brother Tony recalls her being the "Little Queen" who loved to be pampered.  She always looked good with the best face and smile that would light up any room and brighten anyone's day.  When she was just twelve years old she won a singing and dancing contest in a Supremes like trio singing Bobby's Girl with her older sister Camille and a neighborhood friend.  Her father Frankie always said, "Victoria, you better marry someone with a lot of money so you can get a maid to tout on you."  Instead she found the love of her life who waited on his queen hand and foot.  They made a beautiful home and family, sold cherries at the local Farmer's market, walked hand in hand along the ocean, downtown, through life and beyond.

Funeral Mass will be held at Saint Catherine of Alexandria Catholic Church located at 17400 Peak Avenue, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 this Saturday January 27, 2017 at 10:00am.  Reception to follow immediately at the Van Aken home located on 16705 Spring Hill Court, Morgan Hill, CA 95037 until 4:00pm.