Former Rental Center Owner and CRA Executive Vicki Blackwell Dies

Victoria Blackwell, a longtime leader, supporter and friend of the California Rental Association and former co-owner of Sacramento, Calif.’s Aba Daba Rentals, has died. Blackwell played an instrumental role in helping shape the California Rental Association.

“Her passion for bringing people together, supporting fellow rental professionals, and advancing our industry left a lasting impact that will be felt for generations,” the CRA said in a statement. “Victoria was more than a respected industry leader; she was a trusted colleague, mentor, and friend to so many within our association. Her kindness, wisdom, and willingness to help others made her an invaluable part of the CRA family. We are deeply grateful for her years of service and the legacy she leaves behind. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with her children, grandchildren, extended family, friends, and all who had the privilege of knowing her.”

The Blackwell family has shared the following obituary in celebration of her life.

“It is with deep sadness that Kerri, Scott, Jeff, Randy, and Jena share that Victoria has entered into eternal rest after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. Victoria Marie Blackwell, nee Carnago, was born on September 2, 1957 in Detroit, Michigan, to Shirley and Louis Carnago. She was raised in a Catholic Italian family and was the second of seven children alongside her siblings Donna, Michael, David, Ann, Joan and Christine. She grew up in a vibrant neighborhood spending countless hours jumping rope, dressing dolls, playing hopscotch, tag and hide & seek. One of her favorite things were family drives to Windsor, Canada, to visit her grandparents and godparents, to look at Christmas lights, or to get her favorite treat, ice cream. Vicky, as she was known, graduated from Harper Woods High School in 1975.

“In 1979, Victoria moved from Michigan to California, where she began building her life and the family she cherished so deeply. She worked as a bartender and a licensed hairstylist before beginning her new career as a bookkeeper. Vicky was very social and a people person. Whether you were sitting at her bar or in her barber’s chair, she was there to listen to your story and offer counsel or comfort. In 1982, she started working at Aba Daba Rents, where she met her future husband and business partner, Dale Blackwell. 

Life in the Rental Business

“Victoria and Dale Blackwell were married on May 12, 1984 in Incline Village, Nev. Together they built a loving blended family and a business where they worked side by side for over 40 years. Aba Daba Rents was a thriving local, family-owned business that catered to the greater Sacramento community. Vicky and Dale were also instrumental in building, directing and supporting the California Rental Association over many years.

“Victoria was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She is survived by her children: Jeffery Blackwell (Brittany), Randall Blackwell (Alison), Jena Blackwell, Kerri Costarella (John), and Scott Blackwell (Ashley). She also leaves behind the loves of her life, her beloved 11 grandchildren: Jaylen, Zackary, & Emberly Blackwell, Theodore, Joseph & Lucas Blackwell, Raegan & Kennedy Costarella, and Kaylin, Havyn & Scottie Rae Blackwell.

“Throughout their marriage, Victoria and Dale shared a deep love for traveling the world and RVing across the country. They made several trips to Italy to visit relatives and explore Vicky’s Italian heritage. They toured Europe and South America several times and loved to visit the churches and sample the local cuisine. Vicky was a wonderful cook and she would recreate the many dishes she discovered for her family & friends. 

“In the U.S., their cherished spots were Gold Beach, Ore., for visits with Dale’s family and deep-sea fishing, a favorite pastime; Lake Tahoe for walks in the woods and glasses of wine around the campfire; Scottsdale, Ariz., to spend time with Randy’s family and to cheer on the U of A teams, and Michigan to celebrate holidays and visit with Vicky’s family. Victoria and Dale took lots of photos of their adventures which Vicky later used to create scrapbooks of their life.

“After Dale passed away suddenly in 2020, Victoria continued to run and operate the business on her own with strength and dedication until 2024 when she made the hard decision to sell Aba Daba. During those years, she also continued her love of travel visiting many exotic locations with her daughter Jena and RVing on her own, finding both independence and peace on the road. She loved country music and attended lots of concerts with family and friends. Kenny Chesney was her man.

“Victoria will be remembered for her faith in God, her strength, her love for family, her resilience, and the countless memories she created with those she loved. Her presence, guidance, and unwavering devotion to her family will be deeply missed and forever cherished.”n lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Presentation School endowment. Service will be held at Presentation Parish on June 6th at 12 noon in Sacramento, Calif. A celebration of life will follow at the school gym.