In Memory

Vicki Mann (Paul) - Class Of 1962

Vicki Mann (Paul)

Vicki Mann Paul

July 7, 1944 - October 11, 2020

Vicki was born in South Pasadena to George and Veva Mann. She attended South Pasadena High School and Occidental College in Los Angeles, where she made lifelong friends. In her youth, she was an active Girl Scout, Mariner, and pianist.

Vicki traveled by steamship to Australia in 1969 and lived in Sydney where she worked in theater, attended the opening of the Sydney Opera House, and hosted a visit from a college acquaintance from Occidental -- her future husband, Gary.

Vicki returned to California and married in December 1973 in the chapel at Occidental College. Gary's job as a librarian took them to Sacramento, California; Topeka, Kansas; and LaVale, Maryland, before they settled in Ventura in 1985. By then they had expanded their family with two children, Nathan and Lindsey, who would grow up in Ventura. Family travel included annual train trips to Glacier Park in Montana, a rail adventure through Europe, and a return to Australia.

Vicki was very involved in her children's lives and was especially active with Scouts. Her devotion to young people extended beyond her family to the youth she served as a teacher, first in the Ventura Unified School District, and later at Mary B Perry High School, located within the Ventura Youth Correctional Facility. For 20 years, Vicki worked to provide incarcerated youth with an education that would create opportunities for them upon their parole.

After her retirement, Vicki continued to nurture her lifelong interests in piano, sailing, and travel. She studied astronomy and Japanese, joined the International Guild of Knot Tyers, and became a dedicated climate activist. With the Citizens' Climate Lobby, she made multiple trips to Washington, DC to lobby Congress for climate action. She also served on the Vestry and the Altar Guild at St Paul's Episcopal Church, her spiritual home for more than 30 years.

Vicki delighted in her three young grandsons and shared with them her love of music, storytelling, and exploration. She recognized that she had many blessings, among them curiosity, enthusiasm, and optimism. Above all she treasured other people their unique stories, and their individual gifts.



 
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04/30/21 10:56 AM #1    

Karla Fisher (Payne) (1963)

Vicki was a year ahead of me. We knew each other primarily through music--we both played the organ for HS assemblies and other events. In my junior year, I entered a contest to play a piano concerto with the San Gabriel Valley Symphony. Vicki learned the orchestral part and went to some of my piano lessons, as well as the audition. She was great! I was first runner-up due to nerves, but I've been forever grateful to Vicki. I'm sad that we lost contact and that she has passed away.


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