It has been 2 years and the world has missed you. I enjoyed quite a few rounds of golf with you and the fiestas and singing at your house. I will always have a special place in my heart for Sonia. 
Erik Townsend

I met Sonia and Sarah at the Apex Home Depot.  They became wonderful friends and great golf buddies.  Sonia was a terrific golf teacher who loved to play.  We had many fun rounds even though she beat me most of the time.  I think of her every time I am at the course. She will be missed and I am sorry she didn't see her Braves win the Title.  Rest peacefully Sonia.  You will be missed. 

Tití, gracias por tratarme como si fuera tu sangre. Gracias por concentirme con pasta y vino cuando te visitabamos. Gracias por siempre hacerme sentir que mi felicidad y mis logros también  eran tuyos. Pero sobre todo, gracias por mis primos y por Cory, me has dado los mejores regalos de una vida. Te amo.

Titi Sonia, fue poco lo que te conocí pero tu energía y luz eran inigualables. Nunca olvidare cuando nos vimos en el 2010. Me recibiste con tanto amor en tu casa con Saritah. Ese día me contaste historias, y conocí de ti, que te gustaba el golf, que te gustaba el vino, lo mucho que te gustaba la guitarra. Vi amigos y familia ir a verte y me di cuenta que aunque lejanas, compartíamos mucho en común. Nunca supe de donde heredé mi sentido de aventura y creo es de ti. El amor al viaje, la vida los amigos y familia son algo que compartimos. En esos cortos días que nos vimos, me contaste de las veces que viajaste a las Filipinas. Me enseñaste to colección de máscaras. Hablaste de cuando eras parte de Las Pocas. Vi  como celebrabas  la vida, vi tus tatuajes y recuerdo que decías que te ibas a hacer uno nuevo a los 70. En fin, le doy gracias a la vida que aunque poco, te conocí y compartí contigo un fin de semana que nunca olvidare. Descansa en Paz .

What a joy to have known Sonia! My husband & I met her in 1999 through VIF and have many fond memories of her. Such a kind-hearted and passionate person, she had a way of making everyone feel loved. Sending our condolences to Sarah and all of her family. Rest In Peace Sonia. ❤️
Laura & Fernando 

¡Sonia, la mejor de las tías! Así siempre escuché a Ernesto, Carmen Laura y Antonio llamarte... y mis hijas, Ámbar y Arianna, que fueron adoptadas en esa familia, también te llamaron así, Tití Sonia. 💝
Gracias por tu amor, porque a través de tu dádiva hacia todos los que se acercaban a tí o encontrabas en tu camino, pudiste demostrar que el amor no tiene color y no tiene prejuicios.
Descansa en paz, Tití Sonia. 🌹🙏🇵🇷

Some people come into your life for a short time and touch your heart with their smile, passion and zest for life. Sonia was one of those people. My family moved from Australia and spent 3 years living in Chapel Hill where I worked for VIF. Sonia was one of the first people to welcome me with that beautiful smile and stories of her trip to Australia. Everyone smiled when Sonia was in the room. My husband Ian and son Brett loved playing golf with Sonia. We left Chapel Hill with beautiful memories of Sonia and stayed in touch from time to time-most recently when Brett became a dad. Sonia...a truly special person who gave so much and was loved by all. 

If you had to describe Sonia in one word it would be passion - She was all passion, all the time. What she lacked in stature, she made up ten-fold with heart and you always knew when Sonia was in the room. She was like a second mom to me and I will remember all of our adventures together fondly. We shared a common love of her homeland and my birthplace Puerto Rico and with that, a love for Puerto Rican food. Those who have eaten her rice and beans know that they were heavenly. Sonia was such a bright light and her memory will live on through all of those whose lives she has touched. Hasta luego, Sonia. You’ve earned your wings and I look forward to seeing you again someday!  Besitos, Julie

My prayers and condolences to the family of Ms. Sonia Torres. She was our Spanish Teacher at Erwin High School, Class of 1973. We will miss you so much, but heaven gained a new rose. We are so grateful that she stayed in touch with her students. Rest on!

I remember our first time meeting Sonia, when her and our dear friend Sarah came to visit us in Virginia. We found Sonia to be such a lovely Person and we’re very happy that Sarah had met her. She always had a smile on her face and something nice to say do you everyone.


                                                Norman & Roger

My condolences to her family from the Erwin High School class of 1973. She was our Spanish teacher 

We loved hosting Sonia when she came "down under" to New Zealand with the VIF Program.  At the time I was the VIF Representative in New Zealand.  We had so much fun showing her around our beautiful part of the world.
Sonia had such a love of life, respect for all and so giving of her wisdom and expertise.
She will be sorely missed by her family and many friends all over the world - but what a legacy!

I had the honor to work with Sonia at what was then VIF. She was a model of an educator, with high standards and a huge heart. Her energy was matched only by her expertise. May her memory be a blessing for the countless lives she touched through her work. 

Sonia was a wonderful person who had many  talents, one that stands out is when you were with her she made you feel  you were the most important person  in the world.  When she walked into a room, she illuminated the room with her positivity and energy. She literally touched hundreds if not thousands of lives between students and teachers. 
I will miss you Comadre! 

My sincere condolences to the family.  I was lucky to work with Sonia while recruiting teachers in Spain. All my memories of her  bring a smile and the comfort of having met a true good person. Rest in Peace. 

Although I haven't seen this sweet lady in a long time, I have memories of her at Erwin High School. She was very kind and a beautiful lady! I also remember her being a huge part of the Las Pocos choral group. You all are in my thoughts and prayers 🙏 ❤  I know she is going to be missed! 

Sonia was a beautiful soul, with an infectious smile, and the gift to uplift others. She exuded life, love & joy into all she did, as evidenced by all the lovely memories shared. I'm going to miss her but she'll forever be in my heart.  I feel honored & blessed to have been among those she inspired and loved. 

Sonia touched the lives of so many with her generosity and perpetual joy! The best years of my life happened when I worked alongside her at VIF. Oh, the many laughs and good times we had! She went from coworker to dear friend.  She was such an inspiration and an example to follow! I am already missing her so much.

Sarah 
My deepest sympathies.
She was a unique and wonderful woman. 
Michael and Michelle.

My sincere condolences to her family. I had the privilege of working with Sonia on some second language projects. She was so full of life, a ray of sunshine, so talented, generous, a MASTER TEACHER, and always a friend. Rest in peace my friend. 

I was so lucky to have worked with Sonia at Participate (formerly The Visiting International Faculty Program).
 
Sonia was a wonderful colleague whose professional dedication and commitment was second to none. She established an enviable reputation  in her many roles in the field of education,  especially in her support and mentoring of  international teachers.

Sonia was energetic, caring, with a sense of joy and fun that was uplifting to those around her. Her talent for story-telling and her unique sense of humor made an experience into an adventure, as evidenced on  a  trip with friends to Gracelands that was  truly unforgettable.

A five star colleague and friend who will be sorely missed but leaves us with such great memories.

Sonia and I have been friends since we were in our 20s.  I have never known anyone with her enthusiasm and love of life.  She was amazing at everything she did, especially in her love of helping others and teaching children.  She was quite a musician also and loved sports, especially ECU and her adopted team NC State.  She also had a special place in her heart for animals, and she always had her "children."  Her loss leaves an empty place in my heart.  My sincere condolences to  Sarah, her other family members, and their two babies.  If accepted, I am including a picture of Sonia and me when we were younger.

Sonia,
We can hear you playing guitar among the dragonflies and stars.  We imagine you dancing with the fairies and talking to the moon…
No-one spread more love in one lifetime than you did  and we will miss you!


Sonia and I met when Harnett Central High School opened in 1977.  She was always smiling and had so much energy; students loved being in her Spanish classes.  Sonia was very talented and incorporated a lot of music in her lessons.  Years later, we reconnected at Angier Elementary School when I started tutoring, and she was working in the county office.  She was an exceptional individual, and my sympathy goes out to her family.

I don’t know where to begin to express my tremendous appreciation for all that Sonia Torres did for me in my educational and life journey. She was ‘Miss Torres’ to us high school students and encouraged us to do more than we believed we could, and toward academic excellence. I truly count her not only as one of the greatest teachers I ever had (inspiring me who became a teacher), but also as a mentor and friend. From learning the Spanish language from her in the most exciting class at Harnett Central; to having her as a terrific softball coach we loved; to having her take us students on a field trip to Washington, D.C. to visit the Organization of American States; to the great international trip to Puerto Rico (where her family and friends showed us her wonderful culture, beautiful island, and people); to her singing and bringing music to our school along with students she encouraged to perform---the list goes on and on of how incredibly encouraging, enthusiastic, and affirming Sonia was to me and so many. She showed what is possible when a person puts their heart and soul into their calling. Thank you, Sonia, with love, you will always be an inspiration, as we grieve but are comforted by your eternal peace, and ongoing joy.
 Nancy C. Lee, Ph.D., Elmhurst Univ., Chicago, and Lillington, NC


I remember one of the first times of the many future ones seeing Sonia interact with children. Singing and playing her guitar, she had each and every one of them interested and involved. She spent her years at Smith Elementary in Raleigh bringing joy to those children, their families and the Smith family of educators. Sonia will be remembered for her special ability to bring people together.

Sonia opened her house and her heart for me and for so many others in the 60s when we were just starting our journey as  adults. She was always welcoming, always kind and always full of life and laughter! She has touched so many lives in so many wonderful ways. Thank you, Sonia, for the gift of your friendship! My sincere condolences to Sarah and her family.

The world was a better place with Sonia and she will truly be missed.
I treasure the memories of our friendship and our camping trips and softball teams.
Sonia was such a talented  musician.
My friend we will miss you.

Rest In Peace my good and faithful friend.  You had a long and
Remarkable life and touched so many lives. Your students, your
Co-workers, your friends, and your family will never forget you.
We will love you and miss you forever… Billie & Linda

I worked with Sonia in the early 2000s and found her to be strong and passionate and a joy to be around.  I can still hear her saying "let me tell you something!"  Let me tell you something, Sonia, you will be missed!

I knew Sonia during the years we both were members of the staff of The Visiting International Faculty Program, now Participate Learning, in Chapel Hill. Sonia was kind, generous and fun. I fondly remember her sharp wit, strong convictions and contagious sense of humor in work, travel and in our golf outings. Sonia was a trusted friend and a dedicated teacher/educator who always went the extra mile to support her colleagues and the international teachers in her care. She was a positive influence in my life and in the lives of so many others who knew, respected and loved her.

OBITUARY

Sonia Socorro Torres-Quinones

July 16, 1941 – October 23, 2021

Apex Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services