Victoria Kinoti

Victoria Njoki Kinoti

July 11th, 1967 – July 30th, 2021

Victoria (Vicky) was born on July 11th, 1967, in Nairobi to Eddah Ng’endo and Evans Muuru. She was the third born in the family.  Eventually, the family grew to include two brothers David Ndungi Kamau and Leornard Karongo Kamau, and five sisters Virginia Njeri, Florence Mukami, Damaris Nyathama, Maureen Wanjiku, Gloria Kariri

Vicky was a delightful child who loved playing with her siblings and cousins. Living among a large extended family, she was known for her joyous spirit, which she expressed through singing and dancing.

After her education from  the Karura Seventh Day Adventist Primary School, Victoria attended Kihara Secondary school and Ol Laiser High School. She went on to do her college studies at Moi University in Eldoret, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Education in 1993. She went on to work for the Teachers Service Commission as a teacher at Katulani Secondary School in Kitui and later at St. Christopher’s Secondary school in Nairobi.

During her tenure at Moi University, Victoria was a committed member of the Christian Union, where she served on the Ushers team. She also was part of a group of sisters dedicated to the Lord who ministered and served through music. It was at the Christian Union that she met and became friends with Kinoti. After several years of courtship, the two were married on August 13th, 1994, at the International Christian center in Nairobi.

Vicky and Kinoti’s marriage was blessed with their first son Timothy, born in Nairobi in 1996. Later, they were blessed with another son, Wega, born in 2000.

The family moved to the United States in 1999 for Graduate studies at Fuller Theological Seminary. Victoria earned a Master's in Cross-cultural Studies. She later earned a second Master’s in Special Education from Azusa Pacific University.

Using these degrees, Victoria became an achieved special education teacher at various schools. While living in California, she worked at the Pacific Oaks Children’s School, Pasadena, Beardsley Elementary School in Duarte, and San Luis Obispo High School. Upon moving to Colorado, she served at Woodglen Elementary, Thornton High School, and finally at the Westlake Middle School.

In all these positions, Vicky was a loving and caring teacher. Working with children with disabilities, she applied herself to identify and serve them beyond the basic requirements of her job. For example, she would call and even visit the families after school or over the weekend to check on her students and share her care. She also spent a ton of time preparing her classes, including praying for each student by name. It was no surprise to those who knew her to find out that she won the school and district’s teacher of the year awards in multiple schools and years. She would never mention these awards because that was not why she did what she did. She loved her students and cared so much to see them have a shot in life.

This passionate love and care for others was her very nature and not something she did because of pay or position. It was indeed out of her nature as a hospitable, compassionate, and grounded person. This was borne out of her deep faith in Christ. Of all great things that mark who Vicky was, faith in God is the most important of all her characteristics. Anyone who came close to her would have experienced the warmth and easy smile that emanated from her sense of joy in Christ.  To nurture this, she rose early every day, studied her Bible, prayed incessantly, and sought opportunities to live out the Good News as often as possible.

She lived that Good News of Christ in her love and care for the most precious people in her life as well, her three boys – her husband and her two sons. Tim & Wega are quick to add, “Victoria was the best mother one could have. She was there for us all the time. She loved and cared for us dearly. Her intense love was seen in how dedicated she was over the years to teach us, provide for us, pray for us, even drop everything to be with us – when we needed her. Through her illness, she still radiated love and concern. We will miss her nurturing care and her unforgettable embrace.”

Vicky struggled with mental illness for many years. It is what finally led to her passing on July 30th. Like many other diseases, mental illness is manageable and even curable with the right treatment. However, like some diseases, left untreated, they can worsen and lead to dire consequences. As a family, we pray that all of us take action towards better mental health and seek help when needed. This would be the best tribute we can pay to this remarkable woman.

We believe that illness and death are not the final chapters in this beautiful story of love and dedication by a beautiful and lovely daughter of God. It is the beginning of eternity, all healed and in the loving arms of the Most High God. Indeed, Vicky proclaimed this throughout her times of need and encouraged those around her to do the same. That is why the following scripture had become Vicky’s best Bible verses in the last few years,

“This is what the Lord says—

he who made a way through the sea,

a path through the mighty waters,

who drew out the chariots and horses,

the army and reinforcements together,

and they lay there, never to rise again,

extinguished, snuffed out like a wick:

“Forget the former things;

do not dwell on the past.

See, I am doing a new thing!

Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?

I am making a way in the wilderness

and streams in the wasteland.

Isaiah 43:16-19

Rest in Christ, my dear Queen and mother of our lovely boys. We promise to keep faith in the Lord God burning – till we see you at our dear Father’s bosom – in eternity. Kwaheri!