Victoria Mary Bustamante

August 8th 1961 – April 18th 2026

Announcement

​In keeping with her lifelong habit of getting straight to the point, Victoria Mary Bustamante passed away on April 18, 2026, at the young age of 64.

In accordance with her direct nature, Victoria requested that no funeral or formal services be held.

Per her wishes, please do not send flowers. Instead, go buy yourself a coffee, think of her, and tell someone the honest truth.

Glimpse of Life

Victoria was born on August 8th of 1961 in Vermont: a place she always loved. Her parents moved her to Arizona when she was 11, circa 1972. She spent a few years in Mesa attending school, before relocating out to Apache Junction. It was there she lived at the foothills of the Superstition Mountains, and stayed home to raise her two children. She deserves a medal for that alone, considering they were both troublemakers. In 1995, she retreated to the pines of Show Low to keep an eye on the wildlife.

Family Members

Vicky has moved on to the other side, where she finally got to hug her son Donald, who died tragically young in 2002. Others who passed before her include: her parents, Donald Joseph Lever and Diana Marie Foucher; her sister, Linda Knapp; her nephew, Arthur Ray "Max" Sattler III; and her niece, Erin Miller.

She is survived by her husband, Tito Bustamante; her daughter, Jessika Ford (Darryl); her granddaughter, Erica Plumb (Wren); and her grandson, Donald 'Jacob' Porter, Jr. She also leaves behind her surviving sisters: Donna Hartman, Vanessa (Lever) Stitt, Roxanna Davis, and Melissa Lever; her brothers, Michael Lever and Donald Joseph Lever, Jr.;  and no small army of nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, and grand-nephews.

Known as "Aunt Vicky" to many, her heart was big enough to include love for many others whom she adopted as her own family.

A Note On Her Spirit

To those in her circle, she was welcoming, witty, and a playful spirit. Her warmth and love towards children and animals showed a softer side of her. She was a warrior—strong, resilient, and persevering.

She possessed exactly zero patience for nonsense or stupid people. She did not take anyone's shit, and she didn't care much for people in general.

If you wanted the truth, you asked Victoria. If you didn't want the truth, you should have asked someone else.

​Vicky's Short List of Approved Things:

1. Her parrot, Joe: Her loyal companion and the only one she allowed to have the last word.
2. Her Family: Specifically, her daily phone calls with her daughter and granddaughter.
3. Sunflowers: She loved all flowers, but sunflowers were the ones that really mattered to her.
4. Wildlife: She spent quiet afternoons watching the animals around her home — largely because they were better company than people.
5. Coffee: Hot or cold, she didn't care, as long as it was coffee — though a Caramel Macchiato was her absolute favorite.
6. Visitors: She loved it when her family made the trek to see her, even though they lived way too far away. However, for anyone else, you'd better have called ahead of time.