VICKI L. BAILEY

April 8, 1948 – August 23, 2014

After enduring her long illness with grace and gumption, our beloved Vic died peacefully in the early morning quiet she so treasured. Vic is survived by Sharon Melberg, her vowed partner for 22 years, her cherished friend, John Summers, ofm, the children she shared with Sharon: Erik Degner (Yessi), Dan Degner (Suzanne) and Emberly Degner, and her son, Art Bailey (Esther) and her "heart mother," Betty Melberg and the extended Melberg family. Vic rejoiced in seven grandchildren: Zachary, Richard and Jacob Bailey, Amberlyn, Kaytlin and Aubreyana Barker and Jillian Degner. Vic was preceded in death by her parents, Bill and Betty Hooks and her brother, Larry Sykes (Lee).

Vic pioneered care giving during the AIDS pandemic. Working with Bishop Francis Quinn, she was a founding member of the Northern California HIV/Drug Use Task Force in 1989. She worked with Dignity Catholic Outreach, Lambda Community Center, Wellsprings Women's Center, Loaves and Fishes, Hope House, UCDMC, The Effort, the Sacramento AIDS Foundation and CARES and regularly presented at the annual National Catholic AIDS Ministry Conferences held at Notre Dame and later at Loyola Chicago. Vic received a "Women Helping Women Award from Soroptimist International of Sacramento in 1996 and an Angel Award from Volunteers of America in 2003. For many years, Vic worked as an HIV/AIDS Research Assistant and later as the Medical Division Counselor at UCDMC. Vic also worked in Family Reunification for the County of Sacramento. Vic was a skilled orator and author. Her writing appeared in various poetry and essay collections, and in The Way of Saint Francis.

A long-time resident of Sacramento, Vic received both her B.A. in English and her M.S. in Counseling at CSUS. She also had a degree in horticulture. Vic enjoyed rides on her motorcycle, visits to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, trips to the zoo, the library and local parks, and time spent at home and by the pool with her family, dogs and good books.

Vic received excellent medical and nursing care at Kaiser Permanente Hospital in South Sacramento and especially wanted to thank Lisa Vila, MD, Vu Ta, MD and Domingo Hallare, MD, and hospice nurse Kathy Fiske, RN and Art Lillicrop, Chaplain.

Services will be held at St. Francis of Assisi Church in Sacramento, on Wednesday, September 10 at 2:00pm.

Arrangements under the direction of Nicoletti, Culjis & Herberger Funeral Home, Sacramento, CA.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Charleston Post & Courier on Aug. 25, 2014.

Memories and Condolences
for Vicki Bailey

10 Entries

Denise Godbout

September 3, 2014

I never had the pleasure of meeting Vicki, but I know her in a way, through her son Arthur Bailey. My heart goes out to Art and Vicki's family for their loss.
Denise Godbout-Avant

Art Bailey

September 2, 2014

The day I was born my Mom and I were together and she held me..

The day my Mom died we were together and I held her..

I love you Mom..

Art Bailey

Sheila Enders

August 30, 2014

Not everyone can claim someone like Vicki Bailey as a friend. Vicki, VB, Vickims, Vic and AKA: Fairy God-Dyke. I had the honor and privilege of knowing and working with Vicki for nearly 30 years. She was brilliant, compassionate, kind, loving, and hilarious and irreverent. If you listened to one of her lectures, you would be rolling in the aisles one minute and brought to tears in the next. She was one of the pioneers in the Sacramento area in HIV/AIDS education and care. There are untold numbers of people who lives were touched by her wisdom and words. She was an educator, drug counselor and Chaplain. She could be as gentle as an evening breeze and as rough as the saltiest sailor. She could tame the most cantankerous drug addict. And, she could be as gentle as an angel with a dying patient. Vicki was truly one of a kind. Vickims, you are now free… no more illness and pain. I will miss your smile, your wit and most of all…your hugs. You are in my heart forever….

Sharon Hartley

August 28, 2014

I met Vicki at the aids clinic in the 80's. What a gal. She talked like a "Truck Driver" and made me laugh. Always, she was a good friend. I will always remember her. Sharon Hartley, Browns Valley ca.

Laura Maraventano

August 28, 2014

I have known Vicki about 15 years. She had a great sense of humor and told funny stories. She was full of love and laughter. It was always fun hanging out with her. She will be missed.

Bobbi Henk

August 28, 2014

I worked with Vicki at UCDMC in the HIV unit. I've a million Vicki stories. We had the most awesome road show for AIDS education. I'm the luckiest person to have known and loved Vickie. She's the best. Rest with Angels now.

Christine Cipperly

August 27, 2014

I met Vicki when I was the AIDS Coordinator for Yolo County Health Department. She was a true friend, a tireless worker for for the sick and dying, and a light for the spiritual and faithful. I know she is in the arms of the angels. I will always love you, Vicki!

Jason Lindo

August 27, 2014

Vicki was a bright light in my life. We shared Thanksgivings, 4th of Julys, Summer BBQs and long talks while cooling off in the above ground pool in her backyard, work days at The Effort, Hand to Hand training days- she was my friend, a mentor, a sponsor when I needed to go back for refresher with my steps. Vicki taught me how to laugh with abandon. She was my 'big sister" with the Arkansas accent. May her memory be for a blessing. Rest in peace, Vicki Lynn.

Bill McDonald

August 26, 2014

I worked with Vicki at UCDMC when we had an AIDS unit in the early 80's.
she was always a support to dying patients, their families and staff. I will always remember her sense of humor. She always made the unbearable --- bearable. Rest in peace sweetheart. Love Bill McDonald/John Carrick

Jerry Sloan

August 26, 2014

I first met Vicki at the Metropolitan Community Church. She was one of the funniest persons I have ever met. She had Robin Williams type wit. Her work with drug addicts and people with HIV/AIDS was tremendous. I remember asking her to be the coordinator of ceremonies at one of our annual Lambda Freedom Fairs.

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