Victoria was the meaning of generosity, embodied. She first offered us (I was an early member of architexx) her office in the evening, as a place to have our regular meetings in the city. And then, she invited us and hosted us at her country house for our annual retreat. My memories of the first retreat back in 2013 are that we star gazed, tended to the garden, swam in the pool, soaked in the hot tub, discovered her neighbors fluffy chickens on a leisurely stroll and had breakout sessions under the shade of old trees on her property. And she - of course - cooked for everyone. She insisted on that.
And her food stole the show. As if providing a gorgeous, peaceful upstate setting wasn't enough for a bunch of overworked NYC architects, she made healthy, fresh food with so much joy that you tasted it. It was palpable and healing. As was everything about my interaction with Victoria.
She was a mentor and a role model, ahead of her time though with zero ego about her many accomplishments. My life was enriched through knowing her and in reflection as I write this, I aspire to be more like her.
