Obituaries

Obituary: Victoria 'Vicki' Soto, Age 27

Funeral services for Victoria 'Vicki' Soto, the courageous Newtown school teacher who died saving her kids, will be on Wednesday, Dec. 19, at Lordship Community Church in Stratford.

Victoria "Vicki" Leigh Soto, age 27, of Stratford, cherished daughter of Carlos and Donna (Fagan) Soto, and beloved sister of Jillian, Carlee and Carlos Matthew Soto, passed away on Friday, Dec. 14, 2012 in Sandy Hook, Conn.

Born In Bridgeport, she was a lifelong Stratford resident. Vicki was a graduate of Stratford High School Class of 2003, and Eastern Connecticut State University, where she graduated with high honors, earning degrees in both Education and History.

She was currently attending Southern Connecticut State University, to complete her Master’s Degree. Vicki was in her fifth year of teaching at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown. Teaching was her passion, following in the footsteps of her beloved Aunt Debbie, and her dream since she was three years old.

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Molding young minds was her priority, but being the "fun" teacher, was what she was all about. The children she taught at Sandy Hook Elementary were a huge part of her life.

Vicki was equally passionate about her family, which was the most important part of her life, especially her siblings, sisters, Jillian whom she loved unconditionally, and Carlee in whom she instilled the importance of higher education and her brother Carlos Matthew who looked up to his big sister with pride.

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She was not only a role model to her sisters and brother, but to everyone she met. She was an amazing young woman, who died a hero. Some of her favorite things include: Flamingos, of which you can never have too many, (whenever we saw one, we thought of her), the New York Yankees #11, and, most importantly, Christmas, as she was the only one allowed to pick out the tree and put up the lights.

Her friends were also such a big part of her life, especially her best friend and confidant Rachel Schiavone, whom she loved dearly. Vicki also leaves behind her loving dog Roxie, who waited for her to come home every day, and is still waiting, lost without her.

Her extended family was also a huge part of her life. In addition to her beloved parents and siblings, Vicki is survived by her grandparents, "Pop Pop," Donald Fagan of Bridgeport, and Jose and Marta Soto of Cleveland, TN, her Aunt and Godmother Debbie Cronk, and her husband, Uncle Robbie Cronk and their children, Heather Rose, Brianne Elizabeth and Wesley Fagan Cronk, her Uncle and Godfather Dean Fagan and his wife Denise and their children, Alex Gerard and her favorite buddy Zachary Jan Fagan. SOFACRO forever!

She is also survived by her Uncle Don Fagan and his wife Linda and their children, Don and wife Jennifer, Christopher and Fiancé Sarah, their children Natalie, Christopher and Doug Fagan. She was predeceased by her maternal grandmother Janice Biebel Fagan.

Vicki was truly an amazing daughter, sister, cousin, teacher and friend and died protecting her "kids." We couldn't be prouder of our HERO.

Funeral services will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 19, 2012 at 10 a.m. DIRECTLY in Lordship Community Church 190 Prospect Drive Stratford, CT 06615.

Interment will be in Union Cemetery Stratford. Friends may call on Tuesday from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Adzima Funeral Home 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford. The family has requested in lieu of flowers that donations be made to the Victoria L. Soto Memorial Fund for Education, through the Funeral Home.

This obituary was courtesy of Adzima Funeral Home.


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