Death of Violet Vaca, missionary in Ecuador
It is with deep sadness that the Division of Overseas Ministries(DOM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Global Ministries, our common witness in mission with the United Church of Christ, announce the passing of one of our beloved former missionaries, Violet (Groth) Vaca, on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, in Quito, Ecuador.
It is with deep sadness that the Division of Overseas Ministries(DOM) of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Global Ministries, our common witness in mission with the United Church of Christ, announce the passing of one of our beloved former missionaries, Violet (Groth) Vaca, on Wednesday, February 27, 2008, in Quito, Ecuador.
In an email received from Violet’s husband and also a former missionary, Victor, he states, “Amid the pain of losing the most beautiful and precious thing that God gave me is the joy of knowing that she fulfilled important missions and services for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. She did important work in education with students, believers in communities and human development, especially with Indians and peasants in Ecuador and Paraguay. Thanks to the Disciples and UCC for the opportunity and support of our mission work.”
Violet Groth was born December 29, 1918, in Braham, MN. She attended North Park College and Seminary, Chicago, Illinois, receiving an Associate of Arts degree in 1945, and in 1950, graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota. Violet began her long career as a missionary in 1950 when she was assigned to Ecuador by the Evangelical Covenant Church of America as a missionary. During her service in Ecuador, Violet married Victor Vaca in September 1965, and in 1970, Violet and Victor were assigned to Friendship Mission, Asunción, Paraguay through the Disciples’ Division of Overseas Ministries, where she also worked as a teacher at Colegio Internacional. From 1977 to 1982, Violet was assigned to the International Office of the YMCA in Geneva, Switzerland, returning to Ecuador where she and Victor served with the Ecuadorian Pastoral Ministry (PRE), the Evangelical United Church of Ecuador, and the Ecumenical Foundation for Integral Development, Training and Education (FEDICE) based in Quito. After 22 years of missionary work, Violet retired from full-time employment in 1992, but continued to serve in a volunteer capacity until 2005.
The Division of Overseas of Overseas/ Global Ministries thanks God for the life, ministry and testimony of Violet, especially for her outstanding contribution to the education and empowerment of women everywhere she served.
Messages of sympathy may be sent to Victor at: P O Box 17-11-4829, Quito, Ecuador or via email to:
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. Funeral services are scheduled for Friday, February 29, 2008.
Please remember Victor in your prayers as he struggles with the loss of his companion and partner of 42 years.