Victoria Leigh Soto

Victoria “Vicki” Leigh Soto, 27, of Stratford, cherished daughter of Carlos and Donna (Fagan) Soto, and beloved sister of Jillian, Carlee, and Carlos Matthew Soto, died December 14, in Sandy Hook, Connecticut.

Born November 4, 1985, In Bridgeport, she was a lifelong Stratford resident. Ms Soto 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.

She 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. 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.

Ms Soto 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. She was not only a role model to her sisters and brother, but to everyone she met. Her family and friends know that she was an amazing young woman, who died a hero.

Some of her favorite things include flamingoes, of which you can never have to many (whenever we saw one, her family 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. Ms Soto also leaves behind her loving dog, Roxie, who waited for her to come home everyday, 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, she is survived by her grandparents, “Pop Pop” Donald Fagan of Bridgeport, and Jose and Marta Soto of Cleveland, Tenn.; 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 fiancée, 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 Wednesday, December 19, at 10 am, DIRECTLY in Lordship Community Church, 190 Prospect Drive, Stratford CT 06615. Interment will be in Union Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call Tuesday, December 18, from 3 to 8 pm, 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 fFuneral home.

To make an on-line condolence, please visit www.adzimafuneralhome.com .

The Newtown Bee Posted December 18, 2012

This is Victoria's obituary as it appeared in The Newtown Bee