AC_1965_Web
181 AN T I OC H CO L L E G E C L A S S O F 19 6 5 5 0 t h A N N I V E R S A R Y B O O K V A N F L E E T VAN FLEET VICKI [SMITH] Clowning around with drum at Paris airport. THEN AND NOW 4 B.A. History 4 M.S.W., University of Michigan FAMI LY 4 Sons, Scott and Christopher 4 Four grandchildren VICKI VAN FLEET SMITH, DIED MAY 26, 2013 IN MARTINEZ, CA Karen Jorgensen Sheaffer wrote this remembrance for the 50th anni- versary book becauseVicki was a dear friend. She was also pivotal in recon- necting the Gibbs girls, our freshman hall.Seven Gibbs girls are attending the 50th reunion, as Nalla Wollen picked up the job of getting us together. Even before the Internet, Vicki was a connector. She kept in touch with manyAntiochians.I attended the 25th and 35th because of her. Before the 35th reunion, Vicki tracked us down using the Internet. Not that many Gibbs girls could or would at- tend so we had our alternate reunion in February 2003 in Santa Barbara. We were 10 Gibbs girls on the list then, but two did not attend (they were in China and England). PROFESSIONAL LIFE Vicki received a B.A. in his- tory from Antioch and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan. Vicki dedicated her ca- reer to service in the public mental health system. She retired as the di- rector for adult and older adult pro- grams at the California Institute for Mental Health in 2011. Previously, she served as CEO of Phoenix Programs, a non-profit community- based mental health agency. PERSONAL LIFE Vicki’s family moved from Ohio to San Diego when she was a child. She kept up with extended family in Ohio during her Antioch years and when she returned for reunions. Her brother, Daryl, also attendedAntioch. Vicki was proud of her two sons, Scott and Christopher, and adored her four grandchildren. Her love for travel took her to Ireland, France, Spain, Egypt, Greece, Senegal, Australia, Mexico, England and Central America. She visited me in Senegal, traveling with Nalla Wollen. She acquired a drum for her son,Christopher,which she brought back with her, after making sure it would fit in the overhead bin. She was passionate about rock art and was an active member of the American Rock Art Research Association, which extended her travels into the American Southwest and Hawai’i. Vicki was an accomplished quil- ter who graciously accepted every opportunity to design and make a beautiful new quilt for each baby who came into her life including her own grandchildren and the children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews of her wide circle of friends.A Vicki quilt is a true work of art! A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z Vicki and Nalla on Île de Gorée, with the artist who does the fabric appliqué pictures.
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