Victoria Rose Steele

Victoria Rose Steele was born on September 21, 2008 and went to her heavenly home on October 24, 2025.  She was so loved and will be missed beyond measure.

Victoria attended Oak Park School.  She loved being part of the Oak Park Community.  She was well known and loved by staff and students.  Victoria did not stop smiling from the time she was dropped off until she was picked up.  She participated in classroom education, therapies, music, art and PE.  When you walked Victoria across campus she was always greeted by name and was so happy to see everyone. 

Victoria was a member at South Trail Church of Christ in Sarasota.  She grew up in this church family and was even born by surprise on a Sunday.  Victoria loved the children’s programs and attended bible classes, VBS, youth events and rallys.  She made many friendships along the way.  Victoria especially loved the music and became attached to the song leaders.   She would squeal and make her presence known; it brought a smile to everyone’s face.  Victoria had lots of adult friends there too; she would make them feel special with her smile and handshakes.  As she grew she also began to give out hugs to brighten many people’s days.

Victoria bravely battled physically her entire life.  From developmental delays that slowed her ability to do things to fighting cancer at the tender age of 5 and then again at age 16 to the health issues she developed from her cancer treatments.  Throughout it all Victoria touched people with her bravery and fighting spirit.  Her family and church family began praying for her and spreading her story and it rippled out to many states and countries.  Victoria was also well known and loved by the staff at John’s Hopkins Children’s Hospital.  Although a hospital is not where you want to spend your time, Victoria made many friends with doctors, nurses and other staff who said they were always glad to see her on the schedule because she would make them smile.  They showed their appreciation of her by learning her favorite songs, bringing her  little gifts, stopping by her room to say hello, making sure they were her nurse when she came in and making her feel comforted and special every time.

Victoria is survived by her parents, Jeff and Peggy (Williams) Steele, her sisters Bella and Olivia, and her paternal grandmother Nancy “Mamaw” Steele, aunts Michelle Williams, Robin Williams, uncles Greg (Rachel) Williams, Paul (Doedi) Williams, Steven (Corrine) Williams and John (Mary) Williams and many cousins.

Victoria was preceded in death by her paternal grandfather Donn “Papaw” Steele, her maternal grandparents Tom “Grandpa Tom” and Ann “Granny Annie” Williams and uncle Todd Steele.

Services will be held at Farley’s Funeral Home in Venice on Tuesday, October 28, 2005.  Viewing will be from 5 – 7 p.m. with a short service immediately following.

A Celebration of Victoria’s life will be held at South Trail Church of Christ in Sarasota on November 8, 2025 from 2 p.m. – 5 p.m. 

In lieu of flowers please make donations to Tidewell Hospice or Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital.