A Moreno Valley city councilmember has died, the Office of the City Manager announced on Wednesday.
Victoria E. Baca, 62, had been battling unspecified health problems for an extended period. The city manager declined to provide further details.
Moreno Valley Mayor Yxstian Gutierrez described the Riverside County politician as a “true public servant” who “brough knowledge, compassion, enthusiasm and a genuine love for the community” to her role on the city council.
“As she battled her illness, she continued to connect with and serve the residents of District 1,” Gutierrez added. “It was a testament to her unwavering dedication to Moreno Valley.”
Baca joined the council in 2012 after a stint serving on the Moreno Valley Unified School District Board of Trustees. She was the first Latina to serve as a councilmember.
Appointed mayor pro tempore during her first term in office, Baca successfully won reelection to represent District 1 in 2016 and 2020.
Beyond government work, Baca owned and operated an education-policy consulting firm and served on the boards of multiple organizations, including the Inland Empire Regional Mexican American Political Association and the Moreno Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
She is survived by a daughter, three grandchildren and a great grandchild. As of Wednesday afternoon, her family had not yet announced plans for funeral services.
Reporting contributed by City News Service.
