Victoria Durgana Latortue, a dedicated and passionate U.S. Department of State Foreign Service Officer, tragically passed away on May 11, 2024, at the age of 31. Born on November 5, 1992, in Edison, New Jersey, Victoria was the daughter of the late Nivedita (Gobin) and Joel Durgana. She leaves behind her loving husband, Jean-Bernard Latortue, and their two sons, Jean-Paul and Philippe Latortue, of Fort Washington.
Victoria’s remarkable journey was marked by her unwavering commitment to her family and her distinguished career. She graduated from Bishop Ahr High School in Edison, New Jersey, in 2011 and went on to earn a BA in economics, political science, and Middle Eastern and Islamic studies from New York University. Her academic excellence and dedication earned her a spot in the prestigious Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program, where she pursued a Master of Arts in International Security Policy Studies from George Washington University’s Elliot School of International Affairs.
Throughout her illustrious career, Victoria served as a political officer in Algeria, a vice consul in Israel, and a Desk Officer for Algeria and Libya in Washington, D.C. She was a polyglot, speaking Arabic, Hebrew, French, and Spanish, and worked tirelessly on various initiatives, including climate change, wildlife trafficking, and U.S.-Malaysia economic relations. Her remarkable work was highlighted by the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellowship and the UN Association Graduate Fellowship.
Victoria’s passing has left a profound impact on her family, friends, and the community. Her love, kindness, and generosity will be deeply missed, but her legacy will continue to inspire and motivate those who knew her. A GoFundMe page, “In Loving Memory of Victoria: Support for Her Family,” has been set up to assist her family with funeral and other expenses during this difficult time.
Visitation will be held on Thursday, May 16, 2024, from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm at the Costello-Runyon Funeral Home, located at 568 Middlesex Avenue, Metuchen, NJ 08840. A funeral service will be held on Friday, May 17, 2024, at 10:30 am at the Iselin Presbyterian Church, located at 1295 Oak Tree Road, Iselin, NJ 08830. Interment will take place at Hazel Wood Cemetery, Rahway, NJ.
As we bid farewell to this extraordinary individual, we remember her unwavering dedication, her radiant spirit, and her unrelenting passion for making a difference in the world. Victoria Durgana Latortue’s legacy will continue to inspire and motivate us, and her memory will be cherished forever.
