Norman, OK - Memorializing a beautiful life is not easy. She was born Victoria Johanna Collis on September 4, 1942, in Oak Park, Illinois, the second daughter to John and Vera Lane Collis. Her father, John, was the self-made child of immigrants and he was determined to raise his four daughters, Vera, Victoria, Laura and Jonnina to love one another and love America. Her mother, Vera, also the child of immigrants, loved her daughters fiercely and taught them to be strong women and devoted sisters. After graduating from Hinsdale Township Highschool, Vicky found her way through William Woods College in Fulton, Missouri to the University of Oklahoma - choosing the latter because she loved the musical. We could end the story here and that would tell a fantastic story of beautiful and fanciful humanity. But the story went on. Vicky met Harry James Benson in Norman, Oklahoma while she was studying to become a teacher. Their courtship endured Harry's deployment on a US Naval warship in Vietnam and his legal education. After moving closer to her family in Hinsdale, IL, Vicky began a career with John Nuveen & Co. in downtown Chicago. Vicky and Harry were married on August 25, 1967, and three sons were born of this marriage: Andrew Keith, James Collis and John Martin. The boys were reared in Houston, Texas and Duncan, Oklahoma (all graduating from Duncan High School), where Vicky cultivated a warm and indescribably loving home for Andy, Jim and John and their numerous friends. She loved her boys without boundaries. Any success they achieved was hers. Any challenge they endured was vanquished by her unconditional love. When her beloved Jim died in 2003, Vicky did not give up. She was committed to keeping Jim's memory and legacy alive through connection with Jim's widow, Trisha Bunce, and her beautiful grand-daughters, Gabrael and Riley. At the same time, Vicky continued to be the trusting and welcoming presence in the First Presbyterian Church of Duncan, Oklahoma, serving as church administrator. As her family grew and her boys and their families left Duncan, Vicky moved to Norman to be closer to her sister Jonnina where she spent the rest of her life. She remained a devoted and steadfast figure in the lives of her sisters, sons and all five of her grand-daughters, Gabrael, Riley, Madeline, Katherine Lane (Laney) and Ella. They were her pride and joy. She showed them the power of selflessness and tenderness. Vicky traveled the world to see her sons and her smile and curiosity always endeared her to a stranger. She was an avid Sooner, long-suffering Houston Astros fan (until the glorious last decade), lover of classic movies and always ordered the wrong meal at even the best restaurants. Vicky was happy to be the punch line of family jokes and coyly absorbed the sarcasm and humor that allowed her beloved to endure the difficulties of life. That is what she did. She put others first - always. Her family is her testament, including her many nieces and nephews and dear sisters Vera Kuhlman (Jack) of Parker, CO, Jonnina Benson (Jerry) of Norman, OK and Laura Antrim (David) of Clarendon Hills, IL, her surviving sons, Andrew, his wife Katie and daughters Madeline and Ella of The Woodlands, TX, John, his wife Lexie and daughter Laney, of Houston, TX and grand-daughters Gabrael Benson (and Joe Dunn) of Boston, MA and Riley Benson-Ferren (Braden) of Oklahoma City, OK. She will be dearly missed.

Services will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 555 S University Blvd, Norman, OK 73069, on Monday, June 9th at 2 p.m. To leave condolences, please visit havenbrookfuneralhome.com.