Victoria Joy Rutherford

Victoria Joy died unexpectedly in Mission, B.C. on August 12, 2023 at the age of 27. So it is with the heaviest of hearts that we share that Victoria succumbed to her injuries as a result of a hiking accident on Saturday August 12th, 2023 at Davis Lake in Mission.

Victoria is survived by her parents, Gerald William (Gerry) Rutherford of White Rock B.C. and Karyn Lorraine (Lori) Rutherford (McCreadie) of Langley B.C.

Victoria is predeceased by her Grand Parents, Willow Joy Rutherford (Bradford), Edwin John Campbell Rutherford, and Barbara Jean McCreadie, Brian McCreadie, her Uncle's Mark Campbell Comrie Rutherford (married Heather and father of Willow and Cassandra) and Peter James Rutherford, her youngest uncle.

Born in Lion's Gate Hospital in North Vancouver Victoria Joy is the only child born to Gerry and Lori. Her early life in the Lynn Valley rainforest revolved around the family hobby farm where she honed her natural skills with animals that served her her whole short life. Victoria had her first pony, Jellybean, by the time she was 4. She attended Boundary Elementary in Lynn Valley. She played soccer and loved the wave pool and hiking and cliff jumping with her Dad, but her passion for the critters on the hobby farm was evident early. After 2008 Victoria lived in south Langley B.C. , Aldergrove, B.C and Beausejour, MB. She attended Brookswood High School while simultaneously becoming an accomplished equestrian. After years in barns and lessons she moved her horses to a large field in Aldergrove. It became a special place for the family and the horses for over a decade.

Victoria was employed in horse barns in Manitoba and BC, milked cows, raised pigs, cooked and cleaned in restaurants and cared for her Mom when she became seriously ill. Victoria loved Star Lake, she loved Manitoba, Puerto Escondido, Hornby Island and hiking to cool places. She loved the wonderment of science and her '98 Chevy Silverado. She loved Keenda, Rocket, Kokanee, Doodles, Whiskey, Ash, Atila and Tupac,Wally and Karma. She loved her Mom and her Dad, Gran Willow and Grandpa, Senor Ed. She loved her Dad's brothers. Sylvia, Chris and Lucero, her trainers, were an inspiration to her. She loved her cousin Donna. She loved gardening and the beauty of gerberas and dahlias But most of all Victoria loved her fiance Kyle Alexander Ossie Smith, and Kyle loved Victoria. They planned to get married this year at Christmas, "because that’s what Kyle wants" she said. They were more than over the moon, truly happy and planning their future when her young life was cut short.

In addition to her parents Gerry and Lori, Victoria is survived by aunts and uncles - Heather, Ed and Marilyn, Tom and Jill, Bruce and Stephan, Rick, Janine, Dan and Suzy. She is survived by her cousins Willow, Cassandra, Coral, Autumn, Jody, Connor, Tyler and Meghan, her second cousins Peter, Dinah, Mark, Oliver, Florence and Ozzy. She is survived by her extended Manitoba family of Rutherfords and Powells and an extended Mexican family, David, Jose, Daniella, Isidro, Eden, Sinai, Margot, Mariela and Flor, all currently of Puerto Escondido, Mexico, or B.C. And she is survived by Kyle Alexander Ossie Smith. Victoria Joy will be missed.

In lieu of flowers we ask for donations on behalf of Victoria to go to VOKRA - Vancouver Orphan Kitten Rescue Animal rescue service, 2028 Wall St, Vancouver BC, V5L 1B1, 604-731-2913, or any other animal rescue service that you prefer to donate to on her behalf.