Loving wife. Caring aunt. Talented seamstress and cook. Genuine friend. Selfless spirit. These are just a few phrases to describe Victoria Mazur, or Vicki as she preferred to be called, a woman who devoted her life to her husband and family and used her talents to lift the spirits of all who knew her.

All of her life, Vicki was a person who radiated beauty both inside and out. As a young girl, she learned to become a talented seamstress and tailor. With these skills came a love of fashion and style which she exhibited on the local runways as a swimsuit model. Soon, she caught the eye of Tony, the love of her life to whom she would be married for 65 years. Vicki and Tony shared a mutual, special love that would carry them through their life together.

Vicki was the consummate homemaker, maintaining a beautiful home, sewing by hand much of her own and Tony’s wardrobe, and cooking and baking delicious dishes that kept their many friends and visitors asking for the recipes. She supported Tony in his business endeavors, serving as his primary source of strength and moral support. Sharing a love of travel, Vicki and Tony enjoyed numerous vacations including trips to Palm Springs, Puerto Rico, and all of Europe. Everyone who knew Vicki and Tony could see how much they meant to each other. With loving eyes, Tony would often call Vicki his “angel” and was proud to have such a talented partner in life.

Vicki and Tony shared their love for one another and for life itself with family, especially their two beloved nieces Claudia and Beatrice, friends, as well as the Northeast Philadelphia community. Active members of their church and many local charitable organizations, Vicki and Tony devoted countless hours of their time to events benefiting various community groups. For years, they both also actively supported the fundraising efforts and endeavors of Frankford Hospitals, with Tony joining the Board of Directors, a role he still holds. Vicki was always an active participant in helping to plan the Hospitals’ fundraising events, including past Charity Balls. She also donated blessed rosary beads in her own handcrafted pouches to sick patients in all areas of the hospital.

As Vicki and Tony grew old together they met their challenges with combined strength. When Vicki was diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at Frankford Hospitals’ Cancer Center, Tony encouraged her to never give up and rooted her on through rigorous chemotherapy treatment that caused her to lose her hair. In true Vicki style, she turned an unpleasant experience into an opportunity to use her talents to lift others’ spirits. When she lost her hair she began to sew attractive turbans that she wore during her treatments. Soon, fellow cancer patients began to compliment them, which led Vicki to sew hats and turbans for all of them. She became affectionately known as the “hat lady.” Even after her cancer was gone and her treatments complete, Vicki continued to sew and donate the unique head coverings to the Cancer Center.

Until the time of her death, Vicki had sewn and donated more than 2,400 turbans to cancer patients treated locally, as well as to women across the country who heard of her and her fabulous hats. Her efforts received attention from local newspapers and television stations, as well as from many service organizations including the Frankford Rotary Club. Vicki downplayed the attention and was personally humbled by the recognition. She remained active in her many philanthropic efforts until her death earlier this year.

We honor the memory and celebrate the life of Vicki Mazur this evening. Her spirit serves to inspire all of us to embrace life, enjoy our loved ones and share our individual talents and gifts with as many people as we can.

To learn more about Vicki’s legacy, we invite you to visit the memorabilia table in the banquet hall that includes some of Vicki’s cherished belongings which demonstrate a life filled with love, vigor and creativity.