Josefina A. Torres

Josefina Arguijo Torres taught everyone she met how to love. Her tools were generosity and patience. She moved gently into peace surrounded by her family on September 2, 2011 at the age of 90. She was born in Matehuala, San Luis Potosí, Mexico and lived as a child in Mexico City, Mexico. She became a first grade teacher in her hometown, a favorite of her students who remember her to this day. She married in 1939 and with her husband, Tirso Torres, ran a general store in Monterrey, Mexico. Josefina and Tirso sold their store and with the proceeds - carried in a chest of silver and gold coins - came to the United States and settled in Laredo, Texas in 1945, where she reared six daughters and six sons. She was devoted to her family and her community at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, in Laredo, where she sang in the choir, organized fundraisers, and wrote and directed parish plays. She kept the books for the family business, Torres & Sons Welding, and studied vocational nursing. She was known to never turn her back on anyone who was in need, from family, friends and neighbors, to strangers or immigrants who came to her door seeking food and clothing. She was the center of a family that flourished around her; accomplished professionals, talented women and men who learned and passed on her lessons of love, hard work and humility. She was the spark that propelled her children, and through them her grandchildren, to pursue degrees in higher education. She is the force and gentle strength of three generations that knew her and carry her with them. She will be greatly missed. She was preceded in death by her husband Tirso Torres Coronado, her daughters Lucita and Josefina and her sons Carlos and Eduardo (Peloncito). She is survived by her children: Jorge Torres (Melissa); Rosa Dominguez (Xavier); Dr. Arturo Torres; Andres Tirso Torres; Luz Elena Torres-Carrillo (Gerardo); Dr. Fernando Torres; Alicia T. Enderle (Walter); Dr. Laura Torres (Michael); Becky Torres Landa (Victor); and Eduardo Torres; twenty one grandchildren and six great-grand children. There will be a 7pm rosary with visitation starting at 6pm on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 at Sunset Northwest Funeral Home, 6321 Bandera, San Antonio, Texas. A funeral mass will be celebrated at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church, 1602 Garcia St., Laredo, Texas, at 10am on Wednesday, September 7, 2001. Graveside services will be held at Calvary Catholic Cemetery, 3600 McPherson, immediately following the funeral service