Victoria Tafoya Maldonado

Victoria Tafoya was born on May 15, 1968, in Santa Ana, CA, to Manuel A. Tafoya Sr. and Eleanor S. Tafoya. The youngest of 12 children, Vicky made her early home in the neighborhood of Delhi, a small community located in Santa Ana. After a brief journey to Stockton, CA, with her family in the 1970s, Vicky returned to Santa Ana, where she attended several elementary schools and later McFadden Jr. High School and Saddleback High School.

Vicky's love and passion for singing started at an early age, around 10 or 12, when she sang "You Light Up My Life" by Debby Boone at a talent contest. But it was at Saddleback High, in the choir program, that her ability and talent were nourished and she truly blossomed. After high school, she began her professional singing career and started several a cappella doo-wop groups, such as the Honey Drips and Kul-Ayd.

As an early member of the Doo-Wop Society of Southern California, from the late ’80s to the mid-’90s, Vicky was a huge influence—not only as a performer but also as a preservationist in keeping the spirit of 1950s doo-wop and rhythm-and-blues music alive.

In the mid-1990s, she met the love of her life, Vince Maldonado, and relocated to Southern California's Inland Empire. They married in 2001, and Vince and Vicky purchased a beautiful home in Colton, CA, where they lived happily together for more than 20 years. But as a wife, Vicky was definitely not done making music. She and Vince started their group, Vicky Tafoya and the Big Beat, in 2001. Another a cappella doo-wop group followed in 2004 with the Redondos, and she later formed her rock band, Vicky and the Vengents, in 2008.

Vicky lived a beautiful life, making music and bringing happiness to others. She absolutely adored all of her nieces and nephews. She walked among her heroes in music and called them peers. She will leave this life a legend and an icon, and the effect she had on countless lives is immeasurable.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Manuel and Eleanor; her husband, Vince Maldonado (2021); and her siblings Sylvia, Carol, Lori, Manuel, Angie, and Dinah. She is survived by her siblings Anne Ramos, Rosie Juarez, Irene Reyes, Mario Tafoya, Jim Tafoya, and several nieces and nephews.

A visitation for Victoria will be held Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at Acheson & Graham Garden of Prayer Mortuary, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504. A funeral service will occur Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504. A final viewing will occur Thursday, September 18, 2025 from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, 7944 Magnolia Ave, Riverside, CA 92504.