Stacey Steiner Victoria
It is not too much of an exaggeration to say that everybody knew Stacey Victoria. But if, on the odd chance you never had the opportunity to bask in the warmth of her glow, you missed something special. Stacey’s mark on the world and in our lives was big and bright and altogether too brief.
Born March 12, 1965, to Patricia and Gary Jordan in Fort Carson, Colorado, Stacey was raised in Billings by her mother and adoptive father, Joseph Steiner. She attended Orchard Elementary, Riverside Jr. High and graduated from Billings Senior High in 1983. Some of the very qualities that made Stacey so special sometimes got her in trouble in the classroom. Quick to voice a witty observation or clown to entertain her classmates, Stacey drew more life-long friends than she did admonishments from her teachers.
As soon as she was able, barely into her teens, Stacey committed herself to helping support her family by slinging root beer at the Frost Top. Throughout her life and from an early age, she worked hard to provide for her family. Among her many jobs was a long stint at the family’s restaurant, El Chaparral, and a 20-year tour of duty at the Olive Garden where she met many of her dearest friends. Stacey wasn’t just a co-worker. She was a supporter, a mentor, and a sincere friend to those she worked with. Her motherly influence earned her the title of “my work mom” with the staff she worked with, and “my second mom” with the neighborhood children who spent time in her home. And although she had great affection for these “kids” who had adopted her, Stacey’s love for her own children and her grandchildren was an overflowing fountain of joy.
Stacey married Michael Victoria, Jr. in Billings in 1986, and they made their home in Ballantine. It was always family first, and she loved planning outings, packing up the car, getting away and making memories for her daughters, her son and their children. There were the Thanksgiving pilgrimages to Chico Hot Springs, camping trips, and the beloved and oft repeated hikes to Mystic Lake. It is there that those who were most precious to her will climb the mountain one last time with Stacey and spread her ashes.
Her incredible light has not been extinguished. It lives in our hearts and in our memories, and we are better people for having known her. Stacey was selfless and caring and enveloped us in a loving and comforting embrace. She was a joker and an entertaining storyteller and the life of the party. She laughed deeply and often because of her purposeful choice to be positive, uplifting, and genuinely kind to all who crossed her path. A fixture in our lives, she was forever scooping up one grandbaby or another and taking them off for a special adventure with grandma. The apple of her eye was whichever grandchild she happened to be looking at in any given moment. She was crazy in love with them all. And she had an amazing group of close friends and traveled the world with them.
We will miss her guidance and insightful advice. She taught us all about happiness, positivity, giving, and unconditional love. She was always there to show us the way, and we learned so much from her. But our hardest lesson is learning to live without her, and for that, we are on our own.
Stacey died unexpectedly on July 5, 2021. She was preceded in death by her father, Joseph Steiner; biological father, Gary Jordan; and grandparents Wilford and Lula Roether, Dale and Catherine Jordan, and Joseph and Daisy Steiner; and sister, Sandy Steiner.
It is impossible to list all the people whose hearts ache with this untimely loss. Stacey’s cherished children, Sarah Victoria (James Thompson), Alysa (Ben) Robbins, Stephanie Victoria (Chawn Johnson), Michael (Emily) Victoria III. Her mother, Patricia Steiner Warden,≠≠≠ sister, Shawna (Dustin) Strandell, brother, Joseph (Crystal) Steiner, and Michael Victoria, Jr.
The loves of her life were her grandchildren: Silas Abrahams, Ava Abrahams, Quincy Johnson, Issac Thompson, Hudson Maki, Duke Robbins, Dexter Robbins, Marley Victoria, Lilliana Victoria, and baby girl Victoria whose arrival was eagerly anticipated by her loving “donna.”
Many uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, and close friends mourn the loss of this remarkable woman. We will miss her greatly.
A service and celebration of life will be held at DanWalt Gardens, 720 Washington St. on Wednesday, July 21 at 11 AM.
