Last November I was resting from minor surgery -- and after a few days I was tired of just staying home and recovering, so I decided to venture out in the late afternoon to 9C.  Turned out the three-block walk took more effort than I thought it would, and as I got closer to the Pub I was exhausted, and wondered why I decided to do this.  Tired, I walked into 9C, and there was Victoria, sitting up in a booth, with her laptop and cocktail.  She greeted me with her incredible smile and a big wave, moved her laptop and drink over to one side and invited me to sit with her.  It was such a friendly and sweet gesture, and it made my day.   For the next hour or so we looked at her and Tony's photos from the 9C Halloween party -- laughed and howled.  I forgot about all the other stuff.

I only knew Victoria through 9C, and for such a short time, but anyone around her could see what a warm, kind heart she had -- when she was near you, it drew you in and made you smile.  Thanks, Victoria.  We miss you.... -- Yvonne

In her grand style, Victoria partied at the ball. Thank you for sharing your time and your friends with me...we had a ball. 

She was always teaching me something....I met Tori at MBNA and a group of us became more like family away from home ...experiencing South Florida every day off we had!  Tori always smiled and she always made me laugh.  I loved her. She reminded me of Tina Turner...I think it was her hair - I wanted hair like hers! lol  She embodied so much grace and spirit and she was if I had to sum her up in one word "infectioius!"  She was business by day and diva by night!  She was high fashion  and classy and yet was the first to teach me the slang word, Trifling! lol   I can hear her say "Hey Miss Candy" in her little songbird voice she had...we all know it...we all love it and we will all miss it.  I remember her house - it was awesome...she had such a sense of style...I think she had an electric blue accent wall...I thought to myself as a young person ( by a whole 3 years! lol)  who looked up to her - Wow - that's awesome!  And I think she had this awesome mirror in her foyer - I remember stupid stuff like that from back then....silly moments and always her smiling and welcoming me into her home.  She checked up on me throughout the years and every now and then I'd get a message from her to tell me how proud she was of me and to congratulate me on my 4 little boys and my tutu biz.  lol  In Boca, We'd meet up and she'd say, "we are going to the club tonight do you want to go" and I'd think we were going to a straight club - why would I think any other?  And we'd end up at the gay karaoke night having the best time with amazing people.  And that's when I got to see the real Miss Victoria Martin....The DIVA in the Limelight.  Shine bright Victoria...I know you were called because God needed to inspire his other angels! After all, even he thinks you are INFECTIOUS!  
 

I always love hearing V tell the story of how we met on that cold, snowy December night in 2010.  It was December 26, 2010.  The snow was piling up and the roads were treacherous.  Only the desperate were out that night.  I’m working the bar when the front door opens and in walks two frozen souls Victoria and TC looking for food.  This part gets fuzzy for me.  I can’t remember if we had food or not, but I remember we had hot toddies.  I can still hear V say that as soon as she opened the door there was a warm glowing light and then I said hey y’all with my southern twang it was like a choir of angels welcoming her home. Aaaaahhhhhh….I can still see her telling the story with the hand gestures and I can hear her melodically and angelically Aaaaaaahhhhhh.   And I bet that is how it was 2 days ago.  Victory walked through Heaven’s doors and was welcomed home by a choir of angels. Welcome home V.