Victoria Lee Onstine

VICTORIA LEE ONSTINE Victoria Lee Onstine passed away on April 3, 2024, at the age of 73. She was born January 31, 1951, to Bonnie Jean Fricker and Leon Jay Duste in San Francisco, CA. Victoria spent her early years in East Palo Alto, CA before relocating to Eureka where she graduated from Eureka High School in 1969. She received her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Humboldt State University in 1973, and began a 46-year career in Humboldt County as a Registered Nurse and Public Health Nurse, primarily in the home health sector.

Victoria was an active member of the community and a dedicated social servant. During her life, she served on the board of directors for General Hospital, the Area 1 Agency on Aging, and Redwood Concert Ballet. She organized and taught caregiver courses in Humboldt and Del Norte counties and was instrumental in developing the Area 1 Agency on Aging’s caregiver registry. Victoria was a member of the Rotary Club of Old Town Eureka where she held the role of secretary for over 15 years, in addition to being a business owner for several years in downtown Eureka, along with her partner, Jayne. She participated in The Nutcracker in the role of grandmother for many years and held the position of costume mistress with the Redwood Concert Ballet, spending her evenings mending and altering tutus for the ballet dancers.

In Victoria’s private life, she was an avid gardener, showcasing her own garden in the Eureka Garden Tour in 2014. She was also known as a cook, crafter, and lover of science fiction and fantasy; however, she will be most remembered for her unconditional love and care for others. Victoria was steadfast in her devotion to family and friends, placing the needs of others before herself, and a role model of compassion and acceptance. Her quiet patience, positivity, and eccentricities will be missed.

At her request, Victoria was laid to rest at the Ferndale Cemetery following the guidelines of the Bah ‘¡ Faith.

Victoria was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Billy Watkins; sister-in-law, Jennifer Duste; and nephew, Patrick Pezzetti. She is survived by her partner, Jayne McNeilly; daughter, Molly Onstine; son, Justin Onstine and wife, Erin; brothers, David Duste and Christopher Charles; sisters Marta Charles, Nicki Charles, Zina Keeran, and Margaret Duste; grandson, Harrison Onstine; and nieces and nephews David, Casey, Trish, Matt, Jackie, and Madison.