"Tom,Barb and Erika, Words can?t express how saddened I was to hear of Victoria. My condolences to you, her family and friends. I sit here remembering how adorable she always was with a smile on her face."
In loving memory of
Victoria Johanna Eisenberg
Victoria Johanna Eisenberg died peacefully on July 1st, 2017 in Virginia after a recent struggle with drug addiction. She was 28. As a beautiful young woman, she had accomplished a great deal during her life, but still had many more goals and aspirations. She will be sorrowfully missed by all who knew her.
Victoria was born July 28, 1988, in Seattle, to Thomas and Barbara Eisenberg. At a young age, she enjoyed reading classics, playing the piano, listening to music, acting out movie characters in costumes, and was always interested and eager for fun outings and activities with family and friends. She was fun, outgoing, energetic, sharp and witty. Her passion was to learn everything about science and medicine and to help and inspire others.
During her late teens and early twenties, she began realizing her passion at Bayview Family Medicine and Edmonds Family Medicine clinics in the greater Seattle area. She even learned Spanish on her own as she saw the need to be a translator for patients. After high school, she attended Central Washington University and while studying, she worked at Kittitas County Community Hospital as a phlebotomist, as a teacher's assistant at the university, and was part of a research team that published a national article on their findings. She graduated from Central Washington University with a Bachelor's of Science in Cellular and Molecular Biology with honors in 2011.
Prior to medical school, she was employed in a Pathology Lab in Bellevue, WA and as an Infection Control Practitioner at Providence hospital in Anchorage, AK. After her many positions in health care, she went on to attend 3 years of medical school at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk, VA.
She enjoyed spending time at the mountain house with family in Cle Elum, WA, going on road trips with friends, motorcycling, cars, and learning all that she could. She has always been a positive influence for friends and family, teaching and inspiring others while doing the things she loved.
She is survived by her husband, Byron Chan, parents, Tom and Barbara Eisenberg, and sister, Erica Eisenberg. She is also survived by her maternal grandmother, Sharon Johnson, Aunts Diane Leadbetter, Arlene Hardy, Shelly Davey, Nancy O'Connor, and Uncle Scott Johnson
In life, just a single decision can make an enormous impact on not just oneself, but to all those who love you. Victoria had a loving husband, family, and group of friends. She had all that a young woman could ever want or need, but drugs took a hold of her life and everything that she once held dear. This changed her and destroyed so much of her future. At times, she reached out to help others with her same disease. If her obituary helps even one person, then sharing this personal story is worth it, and this is what she would have wanted.
In lieu of flowers, donations are appreciated to any of the following organizations, or one of your choosing.
•Shatterproof - www.shatterproof.org
•Amy Winehouse Foundation - http://amywinehousefoundation.org
A private family service will be held in Scottsdale, AZ. A celebration of life will be held in Seattle, WA at a later date.
Please visit www.hansenmortuary.com for online condolences.
Tributes
"Dear Barb, Tom, Erica and Byron. I am so sorry for your loss. I too lost my son. What beautiful tributes Victoria received. She is a wonderful woman, daughter, sister and wife. I just want you to know that you are all in my thoughts . I miss you and want you to know that I am very sorry that you have to go through this pain. My sincere condolences, Sarah"
"My hear goes out to you and your family. I can't tell you how sorry I am to hear the news. Very sad. My thoughts and prayers are with you."
"Victoria was a student of mine, and I remember her as an extremely bright, insightful, and engaging young woman. She always had a smile for everyone, and raised the bar in an already rigorous course. I am deeply saddened to hear of both her passing and its cause. Although I know how words fail at a time like this, I extend my deepest condolences to her family. Vicki was a wonderful person and her bright light will be greatly missed by all those her touched by her life."
"I knew Victoria as a student in many chemistry classes at CWU, as a teaching assistant and a research assistant (I'm the chemistry department secretary). Her brilliant smile would light up the office whenever she'd come by, and I'm so sad to learn of her tragic passing. Sending peace and strength to her family during this difficult time."
"Our condolences from the MH7 family goes out to you and your family Barbara. A tragedy to someone so young, so vibrant, and so much potential is a true loss to your family and to all of us. Our prayers are with you and your families."
"My deepest condolences to the Eisenberg family, Byron and friends. Victoria was my first biology major and pre-med advisee at Central Washington University when I joined in 2008. I also had her in my Zoophysiology class in spring 2010 where she finished at the top of the class. She was a very nice, smart young woman who had a smile on her face all the time. May 17, 2012, she informed me in an email of her admission to Eastern Virginia Medical School making her my first pre-med student at Central to get into med school. We had stayed in touch and she came back to campus later to give me an update on her med school experience and the rest?She promised to come with me to Bawa (my village in Cameroon, Africa) one day to volunteer at a health clinic that my non-profit organization is building there. When I went up for promotion in 2013, she wrote a very nice letter as a former student. We lost contact probably in 2014 and here we are?..I just lost a ?daughter? as I consider all my students my ?extended kids?. I will remember Victoria in so many ways and it will be hard to forget her. May her soul rest in peace. Blaise Dondji, PhD Associate Professor Director, Keck-Murdock Flow Cytometry Facility Pre-Medicine & Pre-Dentristry Advisor Department of Biological Sciences Central Washington University"
"I was incredibly saddened to learn of Victoria's passing. I knew her during our formative years in jr high and part of high school. She taught me how to skateboard, introduced me to Monty Python and Malcolm in the Middle, amongst many, many other activities and joys. The biggest thing she ever taught me was to always question that which is around you to find the deeper truth and meaning in everything. I will always look back on our time together fondly with a smile. I will keep all of you continuously in my thoughts. I wish you strength, courage, endurance, peace, and love as you work through this most difficult time. Peace and blessings to all."
"My heart aches for what you, Tom & Erica are going through. Lovingly, geralyn"
"Barb, Tom and Erica, My heart aches for all of you and for her husband as well. Please know that you are all in my thoughts and my prayers. Peace be with you all. Love, Kathy and Tom Slyter"
"I'm so sorry for this loss of yours, and my heart goes out to all of those closest to Victoria. The interactions I've had with Victoria during our time in medical school have always been positive ones. She's one of the easiest people to get a long with, a thoughtful and insightful person, one with much perseverance and someone who was unashamed to be honest about her struggles - including her addictions. My wife and I share our condolences with you."
"We were shocked and saddened to hear of Victoria's death. We hope that the generosity of spirit shown by your family in sharing Victoria's struggle will help others suffering from the disease of addiction. Our sincere condolences."
"I didn't know Victoria, but stumbled upon her obituary while looking for someone else's. I have tears in my eyes after reading it. She sounded like an amazing woman, a hard worker, and someone who had so much to offer the world! I'm sorry that drugs took that future away from her. Thank you for sharing her story and please accept my sincere condolences on your loss."
"We are so sorry for your heartbreaking loss and are sorry we never got to know this wonderful, beautiful young lady."
"I am very sad to hear of your family's incredible loss of such a warm and caring daughter, sister and wife. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and everybody whose life she touched. Jonathan Lehmann"
"There are no words that provide comfort to the immeasurable grief and pain of your loss. We can only offer prayers and love, and our enduring sympathy and support. Love, Julie & Bob Mitchell"
"Precious family, we are so sorry to learn of your heartbreak. Truly no words can give you comfort at this emotional time. I pray that your family love and the passing of time will slowly heal your hearts though we know they will beat differently. May the beautiful positive memories soar and the painful ones disappear...in time. Sending you love and peace, Dawneen and Gary"
"Dear Barbie, Tom, and Family, I am heartsick to hear of your loss. Thinking of you and praying God will comfort and strengthen you now and in the days to come. Martha Best"
"We are deeply saddened by your tragic Loss. Sending prayers for your healing. Gary and Dawneen"
"We are so sorry for your loss. Steve and Denise Rose and family."
"To Byron, Tom, Barbara, Erica and friends and loved ones, my sincere condolences for your loss. Victoria was my research student at Central Washington University and, as mentioned, was a co-author on one of our publications, which dealt with overcoming multi-drug resistance in fungi. I remember Victoria in much the same way as described in the obituary. She was one of my first research students at Central and one of the very finest. I wish I had kept in touch more after she left. In addition to being a talented scientist she was a wonderfully nice person and so enjoyable to talk to and be around. I will mourn her loss greatly as I have also mourned another former student who died in an accidental death last year. I wish more could be done to value and help all of our young people who are struggling early in life in one way or another. Sincerely, Gil Belofsky Associate Professor Central Washington University"
"We are very sad to hear of your family's loss. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of you. Jeff & Pam Flora"
"We are deeply saddened to hear of such a tragic loss. Please know that your family is in our prayers. Love, Chuck and Dale Best"
"We are so sorry to hear of your unimaginable loss. Please know that your are in our thoughts and prayers. Love, Alison and Patrick"
"There is no way I can express my sorrow at your great loss. I know the devastation of losing a child, but I cannot put myself into your place. I grieve with you and love you all. I'm sorry that Uncle Charly does not understand any of this, so I will sign on only my name. Aunt Marlys"
"I am so deeply saddened of the loss of such a beautiful brilliant young woman who had so much to offer to this world. May God Bless this family and may Victoria Rest In Peace."
"I truly can not express the deep sorrow that we feel. This is such a great loss of a daughter, sister, wife, granddaughter, niece and friend. We all have such vivid, wonderful and vibrant memories of Victoria's life and hopefully we can use these to help comfort us. She touched so many lives. We know her spirit lives on and may God take good care of our angel. Heartfelt love to Tommy, Barbara, Erica and Byron. Our sincere thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love, Nancy and Ben"