Victoria T. Martinaitis Koff

“Seeing is believing.” For many, those words simply represent a motto. But for Victoria Teresa Koff, it summarized in every way who she was. She was modest, quiet and observant, taking in everything around her and always thinking before acting. She was a realist, someone who was efficient and practical in everything she did. She was a friendly person who truly cared about those around her.

Victoria was born on December 27, 1919 at Holy Cross Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. She was the daughter of Joseph and Petronella Martiniatis. Raised in Chicago, Illinois, she was brought up to be tolerant and trustworthy. As a child, she learned to be conscientious, responsible and punctual. These were all traits that she would carry with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Victoria was always aware of how others around her felt and this quality served her well. With a deep capacity to tolerate the feelings of others, Victoria was generally able to avoid conflicts. It seemed as if Victoria was the family member who was always working to keep stress at bay. Preferring a quiet environment where she could concentrate, Victoria also had the ability to relate well with her family and friends. Victoria was raised with three siblings. She had older brothers, Wally and Joe and a sister, Christine. Victoria was constantly involved in activities with her family. Victoria and her siblings had the typical rivalries while growing up but they deeply cared for each other and shared many life experiences over the years.

Victoria enjoyed learning. She always had a great memory and was particularly skilled at retaining factual information. Victoria was generally quiet in class, learning best through observation. She often showed great concentration and was competent at completing the tasks at hand. Good with details, Victoria was painstaking and accurate in her efforts. All of these talents culminated in a successful high school career. She attented Kelly High School through Sophmore year. Victoria enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite subjects and teachers.

Most folks would say that Victoria was shy until they got to know her. Those who were privileged to know her well learned that she was a solid, good friend. Victoria was reluctant to generalize about people, and she based her friendships on her personal experiences. Because of this, Victoria best trusted those people that she truly knew. She was concerned about how those around her felt, and she always seemed to uncover the positive side of people. She could relate to others and had the ability to see their point of view, to “walk a mile in their shoes,” as the saying goes. The friends that she made, Victoria kept. While growing up, some of her best friends were Irene Jurewich and Lorette Dusic. Later in life, she became friends with Joan Bales.

Love can’t be defined but must be experienced. That was so true for Victoria . On 1940 Victoria married Edward J. Kawcyznski at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of Chicago, Illinois. Later, Edward shortened his name, changing it to Koff. She was totally committed to Ed and maintained traditional ideals about marriage. It was as if Victoria naturally sensed her spouse’s needs, and accepted those feelings unconditionally. Although Victoria disliked conflict, she did not take flight from discord, but rather sought to preserve harmony even during the most trying times.

Victoria was a good mother to her children. She had “old fashioned” parental values and could handle typical family conflicts in a fair and calm manner. Because she trusted emotions, Victoria was reluctant to force issues and used gentle persuasion to resolve situations. In this way she seemed to radiate an aura of warmth and caring to those around her, always thinking before acting. In addition, Victoria was a master planner. No matter how hectic life around her might be, she seemed to know and track everyone’s schedule.

Victoria and Edward were blessed with four children, all boys. The oldest son was Allen, next Robert , then Gerald, and youngest was Edward. They were also blessed with eight grandchildren, Cathy, Thomas, Robert, Vicky, Margret, Cory, Carly and Jeffrey.

If you gave Victoria a deadline, she would meet it. At work, Victoria was always on task. Without hesitation, Victoria could adhere to any assignment and see it through to its completion. Victoria would definitely define her primary occupation as homemaker, wife, and mother. She was also employed for a time with Belltone Hearing Aid Company in Chicago, Illinois, and later with Scott Incorporated of Belmont, Illinois. During that time, Victoria excelled in working with small groups in order to complete assignments. She was able to quickly grasp concrete ideas and could organize and plan the best way to accomplish things with remarkable consistency. Victoria was good at staying on track and was considerate in listening to what others had to say. In this way, Victoria had at true gift for being able to come up with practical resolutions to difficult problems. She was often the team member who managed to put forth a win/win solution for all parties.

Victoria liked to experience things first hand, in addition to simply learning about them. This quality influenced Victoria 's choice of leisure time activities. A methodical and patient worker, Victoria preferred to set aside uninterrupted time to work on her hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were her back yard and garden and keeping up on her home. Victoria was content to sit quietly alone, enjoying her hobbies all by herself and could often be found just reading about her favorite pastimes.

While thorough and measured in her approach to things, Victoria often liked to physically do things rather than just think about them. She was like that with sports. Recreational sports included golf, playing cards and traveling. She also enjoyed the statistical data and the facts behind the sports. In this way, she was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite teams whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list, though, was golf.

Victoria was active in the community. She was practical and grounded and based her decisions on first hand experience. She was responsible and liked working to achieve results rather than just chattering about possibilities. Politically, Vicky was supporter of the Republican Party.

An individual who respected and maintained traditional values, her faith was important to Victoria . Her compassion, consideration and sympathy toward others was evident in her personal beliefs. She was a member St. Joan of Arc Church, Lisle, Illinois for over fifty years.

Anyone who traveled or went on vacation with Victoria had smooth sailing. It was often taken for granted that she was the trip planner. She would start early and examine all of the possibilities, selecting the best and most effective options. Favorite vacations included Niagra Falls, California and the West Coast, Hawaii, Greece, Novia Scotia, and various trips to Florida.

Victoria had two dogs, Laddie and Sandy, who were her best friends for over 20 years. Her family was rounded out by her several birds named Nippy. Victoria was as loyal to her pets as they were to her.

When Victoria 's retirement finally arrived in around 1981, she was well prepared. She had taken the time to learn about her various options and chose her course wisely. In retirement, she found new pleasure in golf, painting, playing cards, working out at local Seniors center, and an regular attendee in her church. Even in retirement, Victoria continued to stay in touch with her old friends while making plenty of new acquaintances. She was active in the community and felt fulfilled with the opportunities retirement offered her.

It is said that some people can’t see the forest for the trees. Victoria was able to focus on each individual tree, tending to its needs, thus making the forest stronger as a whole. Victoria was a trustworthy, pragmatic and sympathetic person, the kind of woman to whom everyone was drawn. She was thorough and practical. Victoria Koff was very literal with her words. You always knew where you stood with Victoria . She will be missed.

Visitation, Sunday, June 5, from 3 to 8 p.m.at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home 5015 Lincon Ave., Lisle, Ilinois, where Prayers will be offered on Monday, June 6 at 9:15 a.m., with procession to St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church 820 Division St., Lisle, Illinois, for Mass at 10:00 a.m. Entombment at Assumption Cemetery Mausoleum 15510 Winfield Rd., Wheaton Illinois.