Victoria Frances McGowan

Victoria Frances McGowan, born September 2nd 1988 passed away unexpectedly at the age of 35, on Monday July 29th at her home in Chico California. Victoria was born to her parents Richard and Pamela McGowan and was the youngest of their four children. Nicknamed “Vic” by friends and family or “The Caboose” by her parents she lived every day to its fullest.She attended elementary and junior high at Notre Dame Catholic school in Chico. After her preparatory years at Notre Dame, she was ready for Chico High. There, as a freshman she hit the ground running. She flourished socially, academically and was active in all parts of high school life. She played on the school volleyball team, was part of the Future Farmers of America organization and raised livestock for the Silver Dollar Fair Auction every year. Victoria loved her time in high school and formed many lasting friendships that she carried with her for the years to come. After four years at Chico High, she was ready to begin her post-secondary education journey. In what seemed to be a family tradition, she elected to move to San Luis Obispo, California to attend college. In 2007 she began schooling at Cuesta College. After earning her Associates Degree, she was accepted into the College of Agriculture and transferred to Cal Poly. During her years in San Luis Obispo, she enjoyed visiting Pismo Beach, attending the annual Cal Poly Rodeo, and taking weekend trips with her friends. Having grown up and spending most of her life on the farm, she loved agriculture. She put this passion to work at Cal Poly earning a Bachelor’s degree in Crop Science. After graduating from Cal Poly in 2012, she decided to explore her options and moved to Texas. After immersing herself in southern culture for a year, she returned home and moved to Chico for good. Upon her return to Chico, she went directly to her happy place and started working on the family farm. She started out slow, learning all of the ranch equipment and irrigation scheduling. After a period of years, she worked her way up to help manage all aspects of the farming operations side by side with her dad and Brother. Every year she was instrumental in creating, drafting, and implementing a multitude of written programs and protocols to help keep the farm in compliance with an onslaught of new rules and regulations handed down by the state of California. This endeavor helped to ensure the future success and viability of her family’s farming operation. Victoria endured years of hard work on the ranch battling the elements. She would often times show up to work wearing multiple layers of jackets and snow boots to fight off the cold during the Winter months. During the Harvest season she worked 14-hour days, 7 days a week without fail through the Summer heat. She would often times be seen riding her quad at sunset with her dog and beloved companion “Rusty.”  Her contributions to the farm will never be forgotten.Victoria was full of character, humor, and passion. One of her favorite mottos was “Say Yes to Life” meaning when an opportunity arose for something new or fun, get on it! When she was not working, she was always on the go. Her favorite place in this world was at the family cabin in Lake Almanor, where she spent summers for 35 years. She loved skiing, wakeboarding, tubing and fishing. She had countless memories there with family and friends.Family and friends were the center of Victoria’s world. She never missed birthdays, holidays or family get togethers. She went into town weekly to visit with her 96-year-old Grandmother Theresa. She saw Dad every day at the ranch. She only lived a stone’s throw away from her parents and visited Mom nearly everyday.     Victoria was loved by many and the gaping hole that her passing has created is a void that will never be filled. She is survived by her parents Richard and Pamela McGowan, brother Paul and (Nichole) McGowan, sisters Tera and (Tom) Willadsen, Rachel and (Tom) Harris. Her seven nieces and nephews: Addison, Savannah, Sydney, Holden, Nathan, Cameron, and Conrad. As well as, her Grandmother Theresa McGowan.