Victoria Castelli

CASTELLI Victoria Lee (Fugitt), 65, of Terrace Park, passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 9, 2023 surrounded by her family and loved ones. Throughout a 5-year battle with cancer, Victoria continued to be a guiding light for her family, friends, and colleagues. Even in the midst of hardship, she led a life of love, compassion, and bravery, and continued to care for patients at The Drake Center until her final months, where she would eventually be cared for at the end of her own life. She is survived by her loving partner, Laurence Bergman, whose tireless devotion sustained her throughout their ten+ wonderful years together. Also surviving are her children. - In Victoria’s words, her “greatest achievement.” : Mitchell Sutika-Sipus (Mallory); Anthony Castelli; & Kennedy Castelli, who “rounded out her life perfectly.” She is also survived by her Siblings: Valerie, Willis (Teri), and Franklin Fugitt (Rebecca.) Also, her two beautiful granddaughters: Eliza and Samara Sutika-Sipus. In her life journey, Victoria had many titles; Farm girl from Columbus, Professional Ballerina, Miss Kentucky (Bodybuilder), Nurse Supervisor. - But no matter the accolades or achievements, those who knew her most-intimately were happiest to know her by terms of endearment like; “My love”, “Madre”, or “Miss Victoria.” Whether it was her beloved partner, one of her three adoring children, or perhaps a trusted colleague in the medical field, everyone who knew Victoria was astonished by the life she lived. - But what meant the most (and means the most now) was the love and understanding that she so effortlessly provided. Over a 34+ year nursing career, and over the course of a lifetime, Victoria left an impression upon every life she touched. When you met her, you didn’t just love her… you felt loved, yourself. - and it is for that reason (among many more) that we will miss her so dearly, so achingly, and so lovingly. As a partner, as a mother, as a caretaker for human beings (and almost any plant or animal), Victoria loved without hesitation. She made the weak feel strong and made the strong feel worthy of protecting the weak. In her passing, she leaves behind many who loved her. But like the gardener and giver she was, she also leaves behind seeds of bravery, compassion, and joy. - and in that way, we are comforted in knowing her spirit and memory will be present in every one of our positive words, good deeds, and acts of love. While we mourn the loss of our guiding light, we are comforted in knowing Victoria is now our guardian angel. Visitation will be held on Wednesday July 12th at 10:00AM, Followed by Services at 11:00AM at Weil Kahn Funeral Home, 8350 Cornell Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45249. Services will be livestreamed, please click the following link to attend virtually https://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/embed_viewer/90251 . In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Adath Israel Congregation Harvey Bergman Helping Hand Fund, 3201 East Galbraith Road, Cincinnati, Ohio 45236 or the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA) P.O. Box 32141, New York, New York 10087 (ocrahope.org) are welcomed and appreciated.

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Victoria Castelli

June 21, 1958 - July 9, 2023