Victoria “Vicki” Jean Wickell (née Welch) died peacefully on August 15, 2020 at the Whatcom Hospice House in Bellingham, WA at the age of 71.

Victoria is survived by her husband James Stewart, her children Jeanette and Andrew, and her granddaughter Violet. She is preceded in death by her parents Fred and Gladys Welch.

Born on November 28, 1948 in Bellevue, WA, Victoria was adopted at birth by Fred and Gladys. She graduated from Western Washington University in 1970 with a degree in Studio Art. She was married in 1971 to Jerry Wickell and the couple welcomed two children, Jeanette in 1983 and Andrew in 1987. In 2009 she married her husband Jim Stewart, who was by her side at her death.

A talented oboist, in high school Victoria was a part of the prestigious All Northwest Band in 1967. Her love of listening to classical music, particularly Beethoven, while painting in her home studio inspired her children to become musicians, and they both continue to play their violins in orchestral and chamber settings.

Victoria self-taught herself watercolor painting and ran a long-running business selling her work at dozens of art and craft shows across the Northwest. She was well loved by her colleagues and customers, and had many repeat buyers of her work over the decades she did shows.

Victoria had a great interest in Egyptian culture and art, as well as Norse mythology. She also loved wildlife and enjoyed watching and feeding the great many wild birds that lived near her and her husband’s home on the Olympic Peninsula. Nature was a great source of inspiration for her art.

Despite her considerable skill and accomplishment as an artist, Victoria said days before her death that the thing she was most proud of was having two wonderful kids. Her children have many loving memories of simple things she did as a mother. She loved to play board and card games and drink tea with Jeanette, and played poker with Andrew. She was an avid walker and encouraged her kids to come along on neighborhood walks. Victoria’s children will carry many wonderful memories of her, like picking strawberries in the summer, helping her shop for groceries, and listening to her sing them to sleep.

In lieu of flowers, please send donations to St. Judes Children’s Hospital or the ASPCA. Vicki’s family would like to thank Whatcom Hospice House for their attentive care and flexibility in allowing them to be with Vicki in her final days.