Medford, Mass/Fitchburg,Wisc – Victoria J. Bertics, age 31, passed away in Boston, Mass. after a courageous battle with cancer on Saturday, Sept. 28, 2013.
Victoria “Vicky” was born July 1, 1982 in Madison, Wisc., the daughter of Paul and Sandra (Fritsch) Bertics. She is a 2000 graduate of Oregon High School, Oregon, Wisc. In 2004, she received a double B.A. with honors in Integrative Biology and Earth and Planetary Sciences from the University of California, Berkeley. Vicky continued her education and received a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences—Geobiology from the University of Southern California in 2009. Vicky was awarded an Alexander von Humbolt Post-Doctoral Fellowship for 2010 - 2012 to continue training in Marine Biogeochemistry at GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel Germany. In 2012, she began a Post-Doctoral fellowship in deep ocean nutrient cycling at Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.
Vicky’s love of the sea began as a small child on family trips and continued throughout her life. She conducted oceanographic research through the world, from the Arctic to the South Pacific. Vicky had several opportunities to explore the deep ocean aboard the Human Occupied Vehicle - Alvin research submarine. Her other interests included dance (especially tap), travel, relaxing with friends, camping, reading, music, and her cat.
Vicky is survived by her mother Sandra;aunts and uncles - Sandra Dries of Santee, Calif.; Sharon and Mike Czyshof Waldo, Wis.; Roger and Michelle Fritsch and cousins Maxwell Fritsch and Gloria Fritsch of Liberty Township, Ohio;as well as numerous friends throughout the world. Vicky is preceded in death by her father Paul, grandparents Pearl and John Bertics and Gloria and Erwin Fritsch and uncle Steve Dries.
A Memorial Service for Vicky will be held on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2013 with visitation starting at 4 p.m. and funeral services at 5 p.m. at LUTHER MEMORIAL CHURCH, 1021 University Ave., Madison, Wis. 53715.
In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in memory of Victoria Bertics to support cancer research and patient care at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, P.O. Box 849168, Boston, MA 02284 or via www.dana-farber.org/gift. The family would especially like to thank Dr. Ann Partridge and the all the staff at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Breast Treatment Center – Program for Young Women with Breast Cancer and the Brigham And Women’s Hospital, Boston, Mass. for the care and support of Vicky through her journey with cancer.