Maria Victoria “Vicky” Catis Chaves
12 April 1938 - 11 January 2019

Maria Victoria Chaves was born in Zamboanga City in the Philippines on April 12, 1938. Her parents were Felix Catis, a laywer who received a Pope Pius XII award, and Pilar Camins, a daughter of the former governor of Zamboanga.

Vicky was the third child of five children: Nenita, Rica, Vicky, Malou, and Jose. They spent happy summers in their childhood home by the shores of San Jose Cawa-cawa in Zamboanga City. Vicky then went to Manila to take up Bachelor of Arts in Music, major in Piano, at Saint Scholastica’s College. Upon completion of her studies she returned to Zamboanga, where she met a young lawyer from Cagayan de Oro City, Jaime “Jimmy” Chaves. It was love at first sight. Jimmy and Vicky were married on May 4, 1963. They raised four children: Angeli Marie, Raymond Albert, Carmeli Marie, and Jaime II. While Jimmy worked as a government lawyer, Vicky was employed for 25 years at the Northern Mindanao Medical Center in Cagayan de Oro City. Vicky kept the family together when Jimmy died in 1996.

In 2003, Vicky moved to Tacoma, Washington, along with son Jaime, daughter-in-law Teresita and grandson Kirk. Granddaughter Angeli was born in 2005.

Vicky loved playing the piano and singing, and particularly relished religious music. She played piano at church masses, in prayer meetings, Christmas, other special occasions, and birthdays. In recent years and spanning the distance, she played the piano and sang for family and friends over the phone, especially on their birthdays. It was inevitably the best present they received. Playing the piano made Vicky happy, but listening to her made the recipients happier.

To us who knew her, Vicky was a selfless person who took care of others first and who generously gave her time, talent and treasure, even to those not related to her. She remembered everyone’s birthdays by sending a card and inserting in it a prayer card or other goodies. She gave without hesitation, and without fail.

Most of all, Vicky was a prayerful Catholic whose complete faith in God was her source of strength. To Vicky, all things are manifestations of God’s love and are always according to God’s will. She was devoted to Our Lady of Fatima and to praying the Holy Rosary. She drew others closer to God and inspired them to pray and be thankful for God’s blessings.

Vicky was called home by her Creator on January 11, 2019 in Tacoma, WA.

Vicky is survived by her children and children-in-law Angeli and Thomas Willson, Raymond and Evelyn Chaves, Carmeli Chaves, Jaime and Teresita Chaves, grandchildren Deborah, Kirk and Angeli, and numerous members of an extended family and community.

Vicky will be greatly missed and lovingly remembered by those whose lives she touched. We may have lost her in this world, but we gained a prayer warrior in heaven. We love you!

Visitation will be held on January 17th, 2019 from 5pm to 10pm at Edwards Memorial Chapel, 11020 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood, WA 98499. Funeral Mass to be held on January 18th, 2019 at 11am at Saint Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 7112 S 12th St, Tacoma, WA 98465.

Arrangements by Edwards Memorial, Funerals Homes, Chapels and Crematories.
253-566-1008