Victoria Ancheta Nishimura

Our beloved Victoria (Vicki) Ancheta Nishimura gained her Angel wings on December 12, 2021 with her husband at her side, holding her hand. She passed away from congestive heart failure, at the age of 78. A native Californian, she was born in Pasadena and was a resident of Van Nuys, CA.

Vicki is survived by her husband of 46 years, Toshio (Tosh) Nishimura and her beloved cat, Twilight. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Ann and Romy Ancheta. She leaves behind her sister, Donna Suter, of Harrisonburg, VA., her step-children, Denise Nishimura Klatte and Darin (Sheri) Nishimura, her step-grandchildren, Christopher (Jennifer) Nishimura, Garrett and Trenton Klatte, and step-great-grandchildren, Rhees, Koa and Kenzie Nishimura. Also surviving her are her brothers-in-law, Hisao (Barbara) Nishimura, Tomio (Kung) Nishimura and many beloved aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins.

Vicki was an eternal optimist, a courageous and brave fighter from the very beginning. At the age of 9, she contracted polio. The doctors told her parents she would never walk again but after many months of physical therapy and determination, she proved them wrong. Walking with a limp never stopped her from achieving any goal she sought.

Vicki attended St. Victor's Elementary School, Corvallis High school and graduated from Mount Saint Mary's College, with a degree in Teaching. She taught at Valley View Elementary School, located in the Hollywood Hills, for many years. Teaching was her passion, she embraced it with all her heart. Her students often called her their daytime "mommy". She had such an impact on them that long after they graduated, many would write her saying they used her as a role model as they went on to succeed in life. She mentored countless others to become devoted teachers, reminding them of the positive role they would have on their student's lives.

In 2000, she found out she had breast cancer. The doctors told her that it was stage 3, but after several treatments of chemo and radiation, she survived and was in remission for over 16 years. Vicki retired but soon got bored with staying at home. She returned to Valley View, teaching the lost art of cursive hand writing, taught enrichment classes, and was in charge of the Centennial Project for the school's 100th year. She was recognized with a wall plaque commemorating her 50 years of teaching at Valley View. The Vicki Nishimura Reading Garden was established in her honor.

In 2020, she had a heart attack and her kidneys failed her. Although her heart wasn't as strong as before, her kidneys became as strong as ever and she left the hospital after a two-week stay. The nurses called her the 'Miracle Lady."

After suffering the heart attack and staying home during the pandemic, Vicki tired of practicing social distancing and decided to go for daily drives. She would search the internet and found many interesting sites to see throughout the southland. She and Tosh would spend hours driving the streets, staying in her car, getting reacquainted with Los Angeles and the neighboring cities.

At the end of 2021, after returning from vacationing in Hawaii with 4 generations of the Nishimura family, Vicki went back in the hospital for observation of congestive heart failure. She came home determined to get back on the road to see more of the southland. Riding in her car, mask in place, with Tosh at the wheel, she was able to take a few rides before succumbing to heart failure on December the 12th. She never was one to quit. She enjoyed Life and lived it to the fullest.

Prior to her marriage, Vicki traveled throughout Europe, the Scandinavian countries and the British Isles. She infected her husband with the travel bug and off they went, retracing her footsteps through the many countries she loved visiting, enjoying Caribbean cruises, visiting Tosh's relatives in Japan and making many friends in Hawaii.

Her enthusiasm for movies and museums knew no bounds. After school, she would attend a late afternoon matinee movie to see the latest release or go to the museum to see the newest attraction. Upon retiring, it was not unusual for her to attend the first showing of the day at the nearby theater. She had a remarkable memory, and could name the stars of every movie she watched, the plot and when the movie debuted. She would often stay up late, watching repeats of the old classics or her favorite reruns.

Their New Year's Resolution was to visit one new restaurant a month in 2021. During their many drives around town, Vicki often found places to eat that they had not seen or visited before. With mask in place, she was wheeled in and they both discovered a new eatery. By December, they had visited over 50 different food establishments.

Vicki's infectious laugh, great wit, wicked sense of humor and huge heart made each day a better place for everyone she came to know. All those fortunate to have met her are left with beautiful memories.

Vicki and Tosh loved being married to each other. They enjoyed their life together, and she was definitely the (much) better half!

A Memorial Service for Vicki Nishimura will be held on Friday, Jan. 14th at 2:30, at the Old North Church, Forest Lawn, Hollywood Hills. Masks are required—and will be provided—and social distancing will also be observed. No koden, please.

A Memorial Webcast will be available for those unable to attend. Please contact her husband Tosh, for more information.