Obituary for Victoria Lynne Towers-DiStefano (DiStefano)
Victoria Towers-DiStefano age 68, passed away unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep at her home in
Plymouth, Massachusetts on February 15, 2021.
Victoria is survived by her daughter Lindsay Harlow (Hovanesian), her son-in-law H. Trevor Harlow,
granddaughter Emerson Harlow and grandson Harold “Pierce” Harlow all of Hamilton, Massachusetts.
She is also survived by her beloved sister, Kathy Simpler of Wilmington, Delaware, and her adored niece
and nephews, Chris Simpler of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Laura Simpler of Wilmington, Delaware and Greg
Simpler and his wife Amy Simpler of Wilmington, Delaware. She is preceded in death by her father
William Distefano, her mother Inez DiStefano and her brother Alan Sowden.
Victoria was born on June 10 th , 1952 in Wilmington, Delaware to William and Inez DiStefano. She
graduated from Wilmington High School in 1970 and went on to earn accreditations in Art History,
Museum Administration and Historic Preservation from the University of Delaware, Boston University
and William and Mary. Her various roles in preservation planning in Cambridge and Martha’s Vineyard,
as well as her work with the International Archives in Boston, highlighted her devotion to keeping a
record of places believed to be historically significant and eye-catching. Additionally, she was passionate
about European History, particularly Italy, where her father was born, and devoted time to help
preserve some of its artistic past through her involvement with Save Venice.
Victoria’s love of all things natural and beautiful was her trademark. She was known for her impeccable
fashion sense and a magical touch that could make even the smallest, most plain spaces, resemble a
whimsical jewel box after only a few hours. Without question, the beauty of Martha’s Vineyard was
what welcomed Victoria to call the Island her true home. Living there for over 15 years, she made
lifelong friendships which she cherished everyday despite the time and distance between them. The
Island understood her deep appreciation for its woods and beaches and provided her with the most
unique treasures of sea glass, spectacular bird feathers and heart shaped stones. For Victoria, a perfect
day would be one spent with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren swimming at Lambert’s Cove
beach, followed by a sun-kissed game of Scrabble, which she would always win, after dinner made of
ingredients only found on the Island’s many farms.
Victoria was a woman of many impressive words who brought unforgettable light into the lives of those
who got to know her truest self. A celebration of her life will be held at a beach on Martha’s Vineyard as
soon as everyone can gather safely. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be sent in her name to the
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation.
Obituary lovingly written by the family of Victoria Towers-DiStefano
Plymouth, Massachusetts on February 15, 2021.
Victoria is survived by her daughter Lindsay Harlow (Hovanesian), her son-in-law H. Trevor Harlow,
granddaughter Emerson Harlow and grandson Harold “Pierce” Harlow all of Hamilton, Massachusetts.
She is also survived by her beloved sister, Kathy Simpler of Wilmington, Delaware, and her adored niece
and nephews, Chris Simpler of Bartlesville, Oklahoma, Laura Simpler of Wilmington, Delaware and Greg
Simpler and his wife Amy Simpler of Wilmington, Delaware. She is preceded in death by her father
William Distefano, her mother Inez DiStefano and her brother Alan Sowden.
Victoria was born on June 10 th , 1952 in Wilmington, Delaware to William and Inez DiStefano. She
graduated from Wilmington High School in 1970 and went on to earn accreditations in Art History,
Museum Administration and Historic Preservation from the University of Delaware, Boston University
and William and Mary. Her various roles in preservation planning in Cambridge and Martha’s Vineyard,
as well as her work with the International Archives in Boston, highlighted her devotion to keeping a
record of places believed to be historically significant and eye-catching. Additionally, she was passionate
about European History, particularly Italy, where her father was born, and devoted time to help
preserve some of its artistic past through her involvement with Save Venice.
Victoria’s love of all things natural and beautiful was her trademark. She was known for her impeccable
fashion sense and a magical touch that could make even the smallest, most plain spaces, resemble a
whimsical jewel box after only a few hours. Without question, the beauty of Martha’s Vineyard was
what welcomed Victoria to call the Island her true home. Living there for over 15 years, she made
lifelong friendships which she cherished everyday despite the time and distance between them. The
Island understood her deep appreciation for its woods and beaches and provided her with the most
unique treasures of sea glass, spectacular bird feathers and heart shaped stones. For Victoria, a perfect
day would be one spent with her daughter, son-in-law and grandchildren swimming at Lambert’s Cove
beach, followed by a sun-kissed game of Scrabble, which she would always win, after dinner made of
ingredients only found on the Island’s many farms.
Victoria was a woman of many impressive words who brought unforgettable light into the lives of those
who got to know her truest self. A celebration of her life will be held at a beach on Martha’s Vineyard as
soon as everyone can gather safely. In lieu of flowers, any donations can be sent in her name to the
Sheriff’s Meadow Foundation.
Obituary lovingly written by the family of Victoria Towers-DiStefano