Victoria (Babiana) Chiacu, 99 3/4, of Woonsocket died peacefully in her home with her daughter Debra by her side on April 4, 2021. She was the wife of the late Nicholas V. Chiacu. Born in Woonsocket on 7-11-21, she was the daughter of the late George and Mary (Andry) Babiana.

 

Vicki was a graduate of Hill College, Woonsocket RI. She was a lifelong member of St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church, the church choir and the Ladies' Auxiliary. Her first job was an executive secretary at the Woonsocket YMCA where she utilized her personal strengths to develop and expand her professional skills. Vicki was quick minded and a fast learner. She enjoyed meeting her father at his business on Main Street and was proud when they walked down the street and he'd tip his hat, smile and greet passersby. They would enjoy ice cream which continued throughout her life. Being a first generation young lady she had to learn to adapt and adjust. Her sense of dignity and fairness kept evolving and her kind, social, stylish and charming self was always admired by all she knew.

 

At a church dance the love of her life, Nick, entered and from that point they dated for years. Nick would drive from NYC to RI to see her. Finally in the summer of 1942 they were married. The celebration before their wedding made the front page of the local newspapers and was read by many. It was customary for the bride to leave her parents' home and join her husbands family. Due to war time gas rationing Vicki boarded the train in her wedding gown. Luckily her sister-in-law brought a sheet to sit on to protect her wedding gown and found an air-conditioned train car before getting her to the church on time.

 

For those years in NYC Vicki and Nick explored the culture. They saw many of the big bands perform. She ran an insurance office and made friends easily. Her husband was stationed on a Naval warship in Japanese waters so she decided to move back to RI and settle in Woonsocket and waited for Nick to return. Then her first daughter was born. Vicki and Nick both shared in parenting. She found a gem of a husband. From the beginning their parenting principles were intuitive, protective, kind, encouraging, loving, traditional, respectful, community oriented, reinforcing education and providing pathways for her children's success in the world. She taught her daughters to respect their traditions particularly the value of family - you would hear song, laughter, and music emanating from their home. She always had a twinkle in her eye, a smile on her face, and a song in her heart. She knew how to make a house a home.

 

After 45 years of working, she retired and they wintered in Florida for 3 months. She decided at 65 years old to learn to swim. She went back to the Y and finally learned to swim so in Florida she could enjoy the water.

 

Her highlights were her grandchildren. She always enjoyed hearing from them and asking when they would return. She was happy and proud of the people they developed into. Her love was always there to support them. Ironically, her birth date 7-11-21 (a gamblers delight) corresponded to the birth-days of her 3 grandchildren: June 7, August 11, and May 21....

 

She leaves her daughters, Christine G. Chiacu-Forsythe and her husband, Kenton, of North Smithfield, RI; Debra L. Chiacu of Woonsocket (with whom she lived) and significant other Charles O'Neal III of Bolton Ma;, and Karen M.C. Recco and her husband, Jack, of South Natick, MA; two sisters, Florence Costulas of Fairfield, CT and Stella Babiana of North Smithfield, RI; three grandchildren, Jeremy Forsythe of Providence, RI, Jonathan Forsythe and his wife, Mimi, of NYC, NY, and Kendra Forsythe and her fiance, Andrew Slafta, of NYC, NY; many nieces and nephews, including two very special nephews, Peter Fatse and his wife, Beth, and Brian Fatse and his wife, Sue. She was predeceased by Andrew Babiana, Sylvia Fatse, Jimmy Babiana, and Virginia Baker. She leaves the world a better place by her sense of respect, love, and acceptance.

 

A graveside service will be held Friday, April 9, 2021 at 11:45 AM at St. John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Cemetery, Mendon Rd., Woonsocket, RI. Her funeral service will be private, but may be viewed live Friday, April 9, 2021 at 11 AM at https://client.tribucast.com/tcid/32283667  Arrangements are under the direction of the Holt Funeral Home, 510 South Main St., Woonsocket. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to St John the Baptist Romanian Orthodox Church, 501 East School Street, Woonsocket, RI or The Society Farsarotul, PO Box 753 Trumbull, CT 06611.