Maria Victoria Barriga was born July 12, 1925 in San Jose, Costa Rica to parents Marco Emilio Fonseca and Maria Julia Jimenez de Fonseca.
She married Armand Barriga on June 7, 1947. She is survived by her five children: Bob (Ronnie) Barriga, Pat (Kevin) Whiteley,
Vickie (Alice Jordan) Barriga, Michael Barriga, Kathy (Trudy Sauter) Barriga. She is also survived by three brothers and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
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My Life on the Move
By Vickie Barriga
A presentation given to St. Joan of Arc Senior Club circa 2004
I was born on July 12, 1925 in the city of San José, Costa Rica, which is a country in Central America. My parents named me Maria Victoria, and I was the second of seven children. My life has taken me to cities and towns in Central, South, and North America and has been enriched by these experiences. Children have played a central role in my life and throughout it, I have known the love of family and friends.
My parents moved to Costa Rica from Colómbia, South America, shortly before I was born. Costa Rica is a place that is very dear to my heart - it is where I grew up. It's where I was baptized, where I went to school, and where I had my first communion. When I think of Costa Rica, I remember a beautiful place and I have fond memories of my childhood there.
Costa Rica is the place that I considered home, but my mother always wanted to return to her home - which was Colómbia. The opportunity to move presented itself when my older brother graduated from high school. I moved to Colómbia when I was about 18 years old.
When we got to Colómbia, I met a large number of relatives on both sides of the family - people I had only known from pictures. Pretty soon, I started meeting people from the school, our church and our neighborhood. Of all the people I met, my favorites were the Barriga family. I felt very much at home with the Barrigas and very comfortable with them and I felt that they felt the same way about me.
I didn't meet Armand right away because he was in the U.S. Army and stationed in Panama, but I was very close to his sisters and brothers and his parents. Perla Barriga, one of Armand's sisters, used to tell me that I would really like her brother, Armand, and that he would really like me. Armand's family used to write to him and send him pictures from home. One time they sent him a picture from a picnic that I had attended with the Barrigas and other friends. When he wrote back to his family, he had circled my picture and told them that he would like to meet this young lady.
Armand was stationed in Panama and had the chance to come to Bogotá on a 24 hour leave. His family saw this as an opportunity for us to meet each other. Even though it had been five years since he had seen his family and even though he was able to stay only for a short time, he still wanted to make time to meet me.
It turned out that Perla was right and we really liked each other. After a short period of dating, I felt that this was the man I would like to spend my life with. I could tell that he was a gentleman, I thought he was good looking, and I knew that he came from a good family. When he asked me to marry him, I was ready to say 'yes.' We were married on June 7, 1947 and then my life of moving really began.
First, we moved to (the US canal zone of) Panama where I had my first child, Robert Henry, who was also the first grandchild on my side of the family. This was a very difficult move because I had never been so far away from my family and because I was surrounded by people that didn't speak the same language as I did. Over the next 20 years, we moved to Massachusetts, New York, Illinois, Texas, Spain, back to Texas, and finally to Colorado. I had two daughters (Patricia Ann and Victoria Marie) while I was in New York, and a son and daughter (Michael Armand and Katherine Jean) while in Illinois.
On December 8, 1948, I arrived for the first time in the United States - in Mobile, Alabama. I had never been so scared in my whole life. They told us there were no hotels available because of a big convention, so the women and children were going to have to stay in one barracks and the men in another. When Armand explained to me what they were saying, I started crying. I told him I wasn't going anywhere without him. My little boy had been sick on the plane and I was terrified that he would get worse and I wouldn't be able to communicate with anyone. I told Armand that I would prefer to stay all night at the airport with him than go off to the barracks without him. Somebody must have felt sorry for me because they found us a hotel room.
A few days later, we took the train to Massachusetts. I remember being so depressed because all of the trees were dead. At home the trees stay green all year round and so the bare trees were very depressing to me. However, I was delighted the first time I saw snow and I played in it with my son just like a little kid.
Moving was always difficult, but it got easier as I got to know more about the American people. A lot of people were very kind to me and tried really hard to understand me even when my English was very poor. The move that I probably enjoyed the most was when Armand was transferred to Madrid, Spain. It was an easier move because all of my kids were out of diapers and walking, and because I was excited to go to the place where my ancestors came from.
After we came back from Spain, we returned to Texas. My oldest son had already left home to attend the University of Houston, but even though my own five children were getting older, my involvement with small children didn't decrease. Armand and I had always been involved with the schools that our children attended. I also helped with boy scouts and girl scouts and worked with the teen clubs when my kids were in high school. In Texas I started working at a day care center and when we moved to Arvada, I started my own day care home. I helped care for four of my grandsons on a regular basis when they were growing up and currently I take care of three great-grand daughters a couple of days a week. I also have a job interpreting for Spanish speaking families that have disabled children. They have to bring the children in for therapy and I help the families and therapists communicate.
My life has involved many challenges and many rewards. I moved a lot and moving is never easy. But because I moved, I got to see new places and learn new things. It was a very difficult transition to come to the United States, but now this is my home - I have been in Arvada longer than anywhere else that I have ever lived - this is where most of my children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren are, and this is the place where my husband and I spent our last years together.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Sponsored by Olinger Moore Howard Chapel.
August 20, 2017
Friend
Barbara Stanfield
I was so sorry to hear that Vickie is no longer with us here on Earth. Vickie, along with Armand, were the greatest daycare givers for my children, Mason and Jenna! I am certain there was no one better for my kids and all the kids they cared for over the years. Both she and Armand taught and loved them well! It was my honor to have known Vickie. She was simply the best!
August 4, 2017
Friend
Jenna Stanfield
I had no idea of Mrs. Barriga's passing. I am living in Colombia now, and I was just remembering my first Colombian friends Vicky and Armada Barriga who took care of me when I was just a very little girl. Vicky has always had such a special place in my heart. I am so sad to hear of her passing, but what a beautiful example of a life well lived! Peace be with her wonderful family.
God bless!
Jenna Stanfield
June 30, 2017
Maria Fonseca
June 30, 2017
Dear Cousins Robert, Patricia, Vickie, Michael & Kathy:
We are with you spiritually on this special day. Today is a sad day for all of us as we say our last farewell to your mom, dad's dear sister and our dearest aunt. Aunt Victoria touched the lives of many people throughout her life. She had unconditional love, and dedication with everything she did. All those special moments will live with each one of us forever.
Let us remember that she lives with each one of you.
There are no words that can express our thoughts on how we are feeling today.
Her love abides in our hearts forever.
May the perpetual light shine upon her.
Our dearest sympathy, your uncle and cousins
Julio Cesar, Maria de los Ángeles, Jennifer and Christopher
June 23, 2017
Stephanie Whiteley
We love and miss you Grannie.❤
June 23, 2017
Nicole Bailey
So very sorry of the loss of "Grannie" I will always remember the memories I have of her!
You are all in my prayers!
June 22, 2017
Carla
Please accept my condolences on the loss of Maria. May your memory of her comfort your heart and God help your family during this time of sorrow. Isa.41:13
June 19, 2017
With all her children on her 90th birthday.
June 18, 2017
Chel Chase
Extending my love and condolences. Although it has been many years since I have been around the Barriga family my heart is breaking for all of you and I remember your mom with love.
June 18, 2017
Michael Barriga
I am comforted in knowing that my dear loving mom is at peace after a long wonderful life where she touched many lives in many ways.She was the best mom I could have hoped for.
June 18, 2017
Vickie Barriga
Mamá, ya es él día del padre y reunirse con su esposo querido, Armand. Ustedes siempre viven en mi corazón. Vickie
June 18, 2017
Victoria Marie Barriga
Mom, blessings on you, as you return to your spiritual home. I am so grateful for all the love and guidance you gave to me. You touched so many lives with your grace and kindness. Godspeed. Your loving daughter, Vickie
June 15, 2017
I am extending my condolences to the family and friends. May the entire family find peace in knowing that God cares for you and your family and will help you during these difficult times. 1 Peter 5:6,7
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