On January 24, 2023, Victoria Hartke Bencze, loving wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away at 80.

Vicki was born on September 27, 1942, in Middletown, CT, to Leroy and Victoria Hartke. She attended St. Mary of Woods College in Terre Haute, IN, graduating with a BA degree in history. On September 11, 1965, Vicki married Daniel Bencze. They raised three children, William Bencze (Kalei Ching) of Half Moon Bay, CA; Kathryn Bencze Rooney (Jeff Rooney) of Danville, CA; and Kristin Bencze Balhoff (Donald Balhoff) of Lafayette, LA.

Dan and Vicki started their 57 years of marriage in the Navy, where Dan served as an instructor at the Naval Postgraduate in Monterey, CA. After completing his two-year commitment in the Navy, Dan and Vicki moved to Santa Clara County, finally settling in Saratoga in 1976.

Vicki was a devoted member of Sacred Heart parish and school for 46 years. Her children attended Sacred Heart school and Vicki was on campus regularly volunteering. She served several years as the teacher's assistant and faith formation leader. She chose to share her faith by serving as a Eucharistic Minister and a Young Women's Institute member. At home, Vicki instilled her Catholic faith within her family. Her children quickly learned that most of life's difficulties could be solved with prayer and having faith in God. Vicki is fondly remembered for her ever-present smile and welcoming nature.

Vicki's favorite place in her home was her kitchen, and nightly family dinners were a special part of family life. The family shared laughs, conversations, ideas, and dreams across the dinner table. The time spent around the kitchen table brought Vicki a lifetime of happiness. Her children and grandchildren will treasure the hand-written recipes that are now heirlooms.

Victoria was preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her two sisters, Joan Mokowski and Kathryn Dubreuil, her husband, Daniel, her three children, William, Kathryn, and Kristin; and her seven grandchildren, Grace and Amy Rooney, Julian and Genevieve Bencze, and Ella, Jack, and Lucy Balhoff.

A funeral service and reception will be held at Sacred Heart Church in Saratoga on Monday January 30 at 11:00am.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County.