Sometimes a special person comes along and immediately captures your heart. Victoria de la Torre Paun was one of those people. We were deeply saddened by her unexpected death on August 13, 2019.
Victoria was born in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico on September 29, 1943 to Juan and Celia de la Torre, the oldest of nine children. She married Stephen Paun in 1964 and they celebrated 49 loving years together before his passing in 2013. A woman committed to living life fully and meeting challenges head-on, Victoria was cancer-free from ovarian cancer for the last six years and bravely battled Parkinson disease for over 17 years.
Victoria and Stephen had three amazing sons: Stephen, David and Richard. She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Clarissa and Martha, four grandchildren, Jake, Lauren, Luke, and Caleb, and many other family members. While passionate about the arts, movies, music and cultural events, Victoria also had a fondness for the outdoors that she shared with her family. However nothing meant more to her than her family and friends.
PMD Alliance connects with many people on a deeply personal level.
Vicky, as we know her, was one of our first and closest friends. Her compassionate and committed son, Steve was her care partner for many years following his father’s death. They regularly attended our In Sync! Support Group Leader workshops and Renew! Retreats. Vicky touched the lives of many with her gentle smile and kind words of encouragement as she tirelessly navigated her own Parkinson’s. Together, Vicky and Steve launched a support group in Douglas, Arizona, reaching people who previously had no access to support. Her generous spirit was contagious and the community benefited by Vicky’s engagement. Her spirit will remain and continue to live wholeheartedly through her son, Steve, and her entire family. She will be greatly missed!
Steve Paun is holding a Facebook fundraiser in honor of his Mom. All gifts received from Steve’s fundraiser will support the work of PMD Alliance. If you wish to honor Vicky, and people like her impacted by movement disorders, please visit https://www.facebook.com/steve.paun to make a donation.
