Victoria "Vickie" Mary Bailey

Victoria “Vickie” Bailey died Friday, January 12, 2023 at the age of 88 at her home in Island City.

A memorial service will be announced at a time to be determined at a later date.  Arrangements are entrusted to Daniels-Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center of La Grande.

Victoria Mary Montes was born to Herminia “Minnie” (Torres) and Bernardino “Ben” Montez on February 2, 1934, groundhogs day, in San Diego, California where she was raised and completed her primary education.  After graduating with the class of 1952 she worked for Roth Outfitting as an accounts receivable bookkeeper.

In 1953 she met and married Lowell Eugene Bartmess, of La Grande who was soon to be discharged from the Navy.  They made their home in La Grande where Vickie worked briefly for Gene Detrick, the original Payless Drug before working for Eveson and Snyder, CPAs, then J.C. Penneys, the La Grande Livestock Commission and finally Eastern Oregon State College.  During this period she worked briefly for OSU Experiment Station.  She retired from Eastern in 1990.

Together she and Gene had 3 boys, Arlie Franklin, named after Gene’s father, Benjamin Rex, named after Vickie’s father and Lowell Eugene, named after her husband. She was a very devoted and loving mother.  That marriage later ended in divorce.

Vickie belonged to the La Grande Association of Educational Secretaries, Business and Professional Women and Blue Mountain Back Country Riders.  When her boys were in grade school she was active in PTA.

On June 8 1974 she was married to Howard L. Bailey in Reno, Nevada.  This marriage brought her four step children, Dorothy, Margaret, James and Jean Marie.

Surviving relatives include her sons & daughters-in-law, Arlie & Cathy, Ben & Becky, Gino & Tammy, Bartmess; step children & spouses, Dorothy & Wayne Woodworth, Margaret & Celas Hug, James & Pat Bailey and Jean Marie Hodges;

She was preceded in death by her parents, her brothers, and her husband Howard.

Contributions in memory of Victoria “Vickie” Bailey may be made to the charity of donor’s choice.

On-line condolences may be left at www.danielsknopp.com

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