Victoria “Vicki” Dupré Dellinger was born on May 29, 1959, in Houma, Louisiana. She met the love of her life, John Leyson Dellinger III, when she picked him up on the side of the road as he was hitchhiking home. They were married on August 9, 1980, at Kenner Presbyterian Church. John and Vicki became parents in 1983 and raised two daughters, Casey and Crista. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister, and friend to all who met her. She loved dance parties with her daughters and grandchildren, picking wildflowers, upbeat music, watching hummingbirds, and dessert at midnight.

When the kids were young, she worked part-time as an office manager for Kelton Video Services, a family-run business, as well as a substitute teacher at Hazel Park Elementary School. She was always at the girls’ schools volunteering for the PTO, school plays, fundraising events, and more. Additionally, she worked as an administrative assistant for cancer research at Ochsner Hospital in New Orleans and the Baton Rouge Crisis Intervention Center and Suicide Prevention Hotline. Most recently, she served others by taking care of homes and furry friends in Bay St. Louis, MS.

Vicki leaves an incredible legacy behind and is survived by her daughters, Casey (Bo) Hilty of Lafayette, LA and Crista (Daniel) Davis of North Tonawanda, NY; her seven grandchildren— James, John Leyson, and Lena Hilty, and Marley, Mila, Lyra, and Lucy Davis and her honorary granddaughter, Ruthny Mathurin who all lovingly called her “Mimi;” her sister, Barbara Kelton of Bay St. Louis, MS; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who knew her as “Aunt Vicki;” and her sweet cat, Tilly, who showed up on her doorstep on her late husband’s birthday. She is preceded in death by her husband, John Dellinger; and parents, Jasper and Arlena Dupré. 

A note from her daughters:

Instead of a funeral, Mom requested that we gather around the dinner table for a meal, stories, and laughter. Whether it’s family members, Shady Acres residents, Baton Rouge friends, River Ridge gang, or individuals gathering with their own friends and families, she hoped everyone would enjoy spending time together in celebration of her life. Because flowers were her favorite, we (Casey and Crista) would love for you to plant some in her honor. Please share pictures of your gardens and/or dinner parties with them by tagging them on Facebook or using the hashtag, #MimisGarden. We will be making books for our kids to remember both Mom and Dad, so if you have any stories to contribute, please share them with us.