Obituary of Victoria "Vicky" (Nogueira) DeMello

Victoria “Vicky” DeMello daughter of Teodora Carlas Nogueira and Jose Nogueira passed away Friday April 18th surrounded by family and friends. Vicky was the wife of the late Jorge DeMello and is survived by her sons Paul and wife Sandy, and Luis and wife Jeanne; four grandchildren Jennifer, Samantha, Isabel, and Elaina; two step grandchildren Karla and Matthew; her brother Jose Francisco Nogueira and wife Fernanda; her sister Lidia Serpa. Vicky was blessed to have a dear and loving companion in Bill Karolides who enriched our lives, and, through the marriage of his son Tom to Vicky’s niece Ana, has also joyfully expanded and extended our family circle. Vicky was born in Portugal, was a former Miss Lisbon and fashion model for Madam Dorsier and Balenciaga. She immigrated to the United States in 1959 and has resided in Peabody since. Vicky continued to model while here in the states and taught Charm and Poise at her own finishing school, at the Salem Commercial School, and at Mass College of Art. “Vicky’s girls” as they referred to themselves, learned much more than how to sit, stand and walk. They learned that true beauty emanates from within and that beautiful thoughts translate to being a beautiful person. Vicky gave of herself and shared her energy, skills and myriad of talents extensively and selflessly, working with the Archdiocese of Boston, Our Lady of Fatima, and the JB Thomas Aid association. Be it a church bazaar, international food festival, charity fashion show or Portugal day, Vicky was a force of nature, organizing, energizing coordinating and bringing out the best in others as they collaborated on providing memorable and fruitful events. Vicky went on to work at Computervision in the 80’s and then retail at Borghese and Cache where she continued to help women bring out their inner beauty. Vicky loved to garden and decorate. Her home continues to be a show place. She planted countless gardens for friends and family and had the distinction of being able to paint with plants, choreographing colors and textures such that at any point in the season there was always something in bloom. A regular event were the lines of traffic pointing and staring at the garden and home which she took tremendous pride in and was willing to provide those courageous and curious onlookers who ventured into the driveway with personal guided tours. Vicky will leave behind a void in many hearts. We know that in her passing Heaven will inherit another force for good and that God will most likely be recruiting her to work on some heavenly and earthly gardens. When asked how old she was, Vicky would answer, “I am ageless and timeless” and this is how we will always remember her: ageless and timeless. Vicky’s family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, April 22, 2014 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 20 Church St., (downtown next to City Hall) Peabody. Her funeral will be held on Wednesday, April 23, 2014 at 10 a.m. from the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 260 North St., Salem- Peabody line. Vicky requested that in lieu of flowers, donations be made in her memory to Haven from Hunger, 71 Wallis St., Peabody, MA 01960. Burial in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Please visit www.ccbfuneral.com for directions, online obituary and memorial guest book.