Vicki S. Schultz
Jan. 24, 1963 – Mar. 7, 2021
She had beaten cancer once, as a child of 15. A car accident caused her to have her Spleen removed. Tests discovered she had Hodgkin’s Disease. A grapefruit-sized tumor was removed from her chest followed by radiation treatments. She was warned that later on in her life there would be a strong chance of cancer, due to the high radiation levels that were used. But after 40+ years, ya kinda forget about it.
She learned of the Sarcoma last February 2020. Drug Therapy, Radiation, and then Chemotherapy. Still, the cancer grew. The side effects of the medications were debilitating. After stopping treatment, the illness it produced went away.
The three of us had a mild Christmas this year, a Covid Christmas, as we called it. We splurged on Prime Rib and Lobster for dinner on Christmas Eve. In our family, we celebrated December 24th together. On the 25th we usually went to our Aunts. We talked about the fun times of past Christmases, looked through old photos, and laughed. For a brief moment, life felt normal again.
Vicki self-isolated herself to avoid getting exposed to Covid. I would joke that people were going to think we were holding her hostage. She had to live her life through Facebook, texts, phone, and online communications. If she was awake, her laptop was on.
Fiona and Maisie (her dogs) only left her side when they were let outside or to eat. I would laugh to myself, as she would have one-sided conversations with them. Once she looked up at me and said “No, i’m not crazy, these are my girls”. I can not quantify how many times I would walk into the room thinking she was talking on the phone, only to realize it was the dogs she was talking to.
Vicki wanted to be cremated and her ashes spread anywhere there are flowers. She didn’t want a marker of any kind.
I want you to know how loved she felt by all of you. Every phone call, gift, text, email, card, note, flower delivery, candy, muffin, cookie drop-off, drive-by, or any one of the many other efforts that caused her much happiness. She enjoyed every single gesture. Her favorites? All of them. Your dog treat deliveries gave her joy. She enjoyed indulging her girls with them. It gave her such pleasure. She loved the videos sent to her, of the dogs she fostered, by their owners. Vicki would watch them over and over and over again She would laugh and cry with pride, talking to the video “Come on, jump, you can do it”. She fostered close to 40 dogs, and she loved every one of them.
My sister Sandra and I extend our condolences to Vicki’s family, human and animal. Vicki was a sweet, kind, and compassionate soul which is what we should all strive to be. She was also funny and used to accuse me of running her massage therapists off. I liked her and I loved her. Rest easy my friend, you are now free from the disease that was consuming your body but not your spirit.💖
Vicki was such a special person. She was a light in my life. We both love dogs, so this was how we found each other and that is what formed our bond. I have tried to prepare myself for losing her, but it didn’t work at all. Vicki took a big piece of my heart with her, and I am counting on getting it back one day. I will miss her every day until I see her again.
I had just started volunteering at a rural shelter in Appomattox when I took a silly picture of a dog named Rosebud wearing several of my necklaces. Vicki saw that picture online, came to the shelter to meet us and took one of us home with her and renamed her Fiona ❤️. She would go on to foster more than 20 dogs from that rural shelter, loving them and then finding their forever homes. Vicki was an amazing human being and I will miss her terribly. Godspeed my friend.
Well my friend, you left me too early. But I know I will see you again. You have inspired me in so many ways but always told me you was pushy., which was never the case. I love all the conversation we had and we will have again. My boy Sam. He brings me so much joy and because of you, we made it happen. You was so loving, kind and giving, wish I could be so much like you. My spirit is broken, but I know god needed you more than me. I miss you deeply. Love you my girl
The world is a sadder place without this wonderful lady..Condolences and prayers to her family and all those who loved her.
My Stella is one of Vicki’s fosters from Appomattox. Stella is special but needed lots of work. I remember a time when I thought I wouldn’t be able to do it. She had nipped a care giver for my elderly mother. I was beside myself with anxiety. How could I make the choice? I called Vicki and she gently helped me realize it was okay. She took the extra effort to get me a trainer from RAL to visit to help me. Her kindness and support made all the difference. I am so fortunate to have known her. Peace to her family.
Vicki, you were a champion of hounds, I truly believe that there was not one you disliked and vice versa. Though, I never had the opportunity to meet you in person, I knew who you were. I know now that the pain is gone and you are healthy. I am sure all the dogs were there to greet you, I am sure Bella and Twister said “Hello”! RIP you sweet lady…….
Vicki was a beautiful person. She was an inspiration. Wherever she may be has just become a brighter world. Roger will be thrilled to finally meet her in person…
Vicki my dear you were one of a kind and when I adopted CINNABON a.k.a. BON BON not only did she bring me joy but so did you. I learned so much from you in such a short time. I never grew out of my child hero WONDER WOMAN my mom used to tell me she wasn’t real but yet I found out she was… YOU were the real life WONDER WOMAN and we will always love honor and remember you. RAL is apart of my life now and every time I give back to them I will do this in your honor. I miss you so much now as if there is no tomorrow but as you wish I will continue to spread love and always adopt. I love you still so much and I will always sing the BON BON song and carry you in my heart. I love you my friend. – Andrea a.k.a Ajaye and yours truly Bon BON.
I could write a book about Vicki, 1999 is when I met her and fast friends we became. I will leave this… she taught me how to be a friend.
I am so grateful to have known you, no matter if it was only thru Facebook. I have found that some of my best friends are those I’ve met on Facebook. You were one of those people. I loved and learned a lot from you just from following you, the girls and the fosters. Your positivity in life and over this last year especially, make me wonder if you were real. I will never forget you Vicki. Thanks to all of Vicki’s family for caring for and loving her. She spoke so highly of you all. Peace.
There are people you will meet throughout your life who make such an impact on you that you are better for having known them. Vicki Schultz was one of those remarkable souls who brought so much love and light into so many lives. For me, she was a sister in every sense that matters and I will feel her loss so acutely in my heart for the rest of my life. I was blessed for decades to know and love this vivacious woman. She was passionate about experiencing life and I will treasure the adventures we shared together. Vicki was brimming with such endless love and compassion that I was left in constant awe of how many lives she touched, both human and animal. While my heart is left heavy by this loss I know that I will meet her again when the time comes, so in the mean time I will live my days to honor her memory and the way she lived. Death is a challenge for those left behind, but we must remember it is not the end. It serves to remind us that tomorrow is not promised, so don’t waste precious time and to tell each other right now, how much we mean to one another. Until we meet again for the next great adventure Vicki.
To Vicki and her family – she was a wonderful person. She would have done anything for anyone. I cannot imagine she is not here for us, but I know she is making Heaven a bit brighter. I will miss our talks about our pets and about life in general. I will miss stories about your family and friends. I will miss YOU! Rest in peace my friend – you are cherished by so many.
I prefer to think that Vicki is in Heaven, playing with EVERY doggo that has crossed the Rainbow Bridge, and both she and the pupsters are joyous. Farewell my friend.
Vicki was a close friend I knew since I was in my 20s we became roommates for several yrs. I’ll miss our visits and outings together. She was a few yrs older then me and I look to her for advice and she always had a funny story to tell along with the advice. She was a lovely sweet friend, I thought we grow old together with our dogs. Rest In Peace Vicki, I hope you’re with Copper and your parents. My condolences to her family and to Fiona & Massie the sweetest dogs.
Vicki was my family in Richmond, she taught me so much and how to be true friend! I told her one day, after going home to family on my vacations, I would like go on some adventures! Next thing I know, I am getting a passport and we’re on our 1st adventure together to Barbados. She loved to explore! We visited London, Ireland and Barbados more than once. We always and had a great time no matter where we went. She had a way of finding great deals for all our trips!! She had me swimming with sea turtles and I don’t swim!?? She always encouraged me (us) to enjoy life. Her heart was so big, she cared for us all, not a selfish bone in her, as you all know. She saved so many fur babies lives, she was and continues to be an inspiration.
I can go on and on…I know you are in heaven and with all your loved ones. Be free, fly high with all the angels, my dear friend! Love you and miss you so much!!
I’m so honored to have met and worked with Vicki during our time at RAL. Her compassion toward “a Vicki dog” was unmatched. She charmed everyone at PerSmart on Sundays. What an incredible loss, and what a meaningful life.
i have been so honored to have known her over the past 12 years. She was wise and witty. She was giving and kind. She was a charitable woman with lots to give the world. I know everyone she touched has a piece of their hear reserved for her memory. Fly high my friend. Give Jake a kiss for me. K
Vicki was a terrifically skilled massage therapist and she gave healing not only through touch but by friendship and joy and caring. I was fortunate to know her as a therapist for many years until she retired. How much I prayed for her! And how much joy the memory of her brings me. I mourn the loss of her and I offer my heart to all her family.
She was close friends with my wife Suzanne..
she was actually in the truck with Suzanne when she had her accident that was mentioned.
I’m grateful that her and another friend Linda were able to be there with me when Suzanne died, but regret loosing touch with them.
She was always a great friend to anyone whom she grew close to and I always felt at home when visiting her out in Richmond.
As a matter of fact, we almost moved out there back in 2005 and the only real personal connection was Vicki.
It was a hard decision, but we decided not to move.
Vicki was nearly as heartbroken as we were, but it just wasn’t the right time.
I’m confident that she is back with Suzanne and the rest of her family that had left before and anticipate the day when I’ll be reunited as well. Until then, fond memories, Vicki,…. fond memories..
We are just learning of Vicki’s passing and so very sad. Now we understand why my text messages have not been answered. Vicki was an amazing woman and Billy loved all the wonderful massages. She had a heart of gold and because of Billy’s health issue she was always on top of whatever was going on with each visit. All we can say, she was amazing, and we loved her. We extend our deepest sympathy to her family. Love and peace, Billy & Patsy Eudailey
I was looking over my diary from the early days of the pandemic and saw that Vickie canceled an appointment with me in early March 2020. I would never see her again, although we dropped some cookies off at her office several times. We still miss Vickie and think of her often. She was a skilled therapist and wonderful listener. Her life was well-lived and we remember her fondly. We hope that Fiona is doing well.