Victoria (Vickie) C. Jarvis, beloved ESL teacher at Stamford’s Rogers Elementary School for four decades, passed away peacefully at her home in Stamford, CT on Friday, May 23, 2025.

Vickie was born and grew up in Worcester, MA, the oldest daughter of the late George and Mary Jarvis. She graduated from Worcester Teachers College (now Worcester State University) in 1960 and taught briefly before answering John F. Kennedy’s call to join the Peace Corps in 1963. She was in the third group of volunteers to serve in Thailand. There she nurtured a love for SE Asia and all things Thai that lasted her entire life. Upon her return to the USA, she studied at Columbia University where she received a Master’s degree in Teaching. Shortly thereafter she accepted a job at Rogers Elementary School where she taught ESL until retiring in 2003. She inspired and loved hundreds of ESL children who in turn inspired and loved her. Her fellow teachers became lifelong friends.

Vickie’s love of international travel and discovery began when she spent a summer on a Kibbutz in Israel after graduating from college. When she retired, she returned wholeheartedly to exploring the world visiting over 30 countries, often accompanied by Pam. She especially loved working on an archaeological dig in NE Thailand where she made many good friends and loved the painstaking work of putting together pot shards. Back home in Stamford Vickie was an intrepid volunteer, spending many hours at the Endoscopy Unit at Tully Center.

More than anything, Vickie loved talking with people, learning and appreciating what was special about them. Her family often said that she would “talk to a stick in the street”. If you sat next to her on a plane, she would know your story before you got off. Her travels were always about people, more than places. She loved learning about other cultures, but even more, she cherished the human connection that binds us all.

When not travelling, Vickie was learning and exploring in other ways. She was an avid reader, searcher on the internet and frequenter of local libraries. A teacher at heart, Vickie was ever ready to share what she had learned and loved to dig deeply for greater understanding.

Vickie was truly one of a kind – adventuresome, generous, ever loving – she will be sorely missed by all who had the joy and privilege of knowing her.
Vickie is survived by her long-time special person, Pam Fenstra; her sister, Nancy and husband Bob Trainor and niece Kim of California; her nephews, Kevin, Jay, Anthony and wife Judy Jarvis of Massachusetts and great nephew, Brian, Danny, Ryan and Connor, great niece, Natalee, and a great great niece and nephew.

There will be a celebration of life in the near future in both Stamford, CT and Worcester, MA. Memorial contributions for Victoria C. Jarvis may be made to the Darien, CT Library, Doctors Without Borders or Worcester State University.