Victoria Cordova, z”l, passed away Jan. 18, 2023, at the age of 81. Victoria is loved and remembered by her sister, Myrna Cordova of Seattle; and many cousins including Jack Cordova of Seattle and Congregation Neveh Shalom member Lee (Sheri) Cordova of Portland.

Victoria was born in Seattle on Oct. 30, 1941, to Morris and Lily Cordova. Her early education included attending Franklin High School where she achieved a close to perfect GPA. She attended Whitman University and received a degree in political science; she then became a Fulbright Scholar and joined the United States State Department and became a Cultural Affairs Officer. She had a 30 + year career and was posted in Latin America, Europe, Canada and West Africa.  She retired to Washington, D.C., and lived in Northwest Washington until her passing. 

Her interests included music (she was a proficient flute player through high school and later in life developed skills as a cellist, joining others in a small ensemble). She loved the opera and musical performances. Victoria was a volunteer at the Kennedy Center as a member of the Women´s Committee of the National Symphony Opera greeting and welcoming patrons to open rehearsals and special performances of the NSO, as well as participating in instrument petting zoos for children, and other activities. She was a garden docent at the Hillwood Estate, Museum, and Garden (former home of Marjorie Merriweather Post) located in Northwest Washington, D.C., less than one-third of a mile from Victoria´s house. She was a 20-year veteran docent at Hillwood. She had a life long fondness for cats and her friends have found a foster home for her beloved Pasha.

She developed a rapidly progressive illness in 2020 and spent her last days in her home in Washington, D.C.  The family is most grateful for the team of care managers, care givers and hospice nurses who made it possible for her to remain at home as she wished. Her youngest first cousin, Dr. Lee Cordova, who lives in Portland, had the privilege of overseeing her medical care and support services during the last year of her life.

Her eldest first cousin, Jack Cordova,  lives in Mercer Island, Wash., and enjoyed her occasional visits to the West Coast. 

This well-educated and interesting woman will be missed by her family and the long-term friends who were so attentive to her during her illness.

Funeral services were  held Jan. 22, 2023, at Machzikay Hadath Cemetery adjacent to the Sephardic Brotherhood Cemetery in Seattle.