A memory...
My mother, Maria Elena Torres, was born on May 28, 1941 to Isidoro and Maria de la Luz Torres. She was born in the city of El Paso, Texas. There she went to Zavala Elementary and then to Thomas Jefferson High School and graduated in 1959 and then went to Durham Business College. 
In 1963, after a return from the Navy, my dad, Adrian (Jr.), went to ask for my mom's hand in marriage. They married in June of that year. In May 1964, the following year I (their first child)was born. Then followed by my sister Gracie in 1966 and my brother Adrian III (Pappy)in 1973. 
As the years went by, and I was in elementary school, my parents were involved in my activities but, my mom always made time to volunteer and do yard duty during our lunchtime and was always available to help out on field trips. She was always such fun to have around. Then as I got older, she made sure that I continued to do good in High School. My mother was so smart and always was there to help me in my studies. When I got married and had my children, my mom was there again to help me and my now family. When my children were in school she and my dad helped pick them up after school and even take them to their extra curricular activities. My mother always made time to help me (and my sister and brother with their families). She was a very beautiful woman with a heart of gold. She never said no. My mom taught me how to love and how to become the mother I am today to my children. 
Throughout the years, and as time went on, my mom became my biggest rock. She always made sure I was ok. If I wasn't feeling well or was not doing too good after a surgery or just having a bad day, she was always the one to let me know everything would be ok. She was my doctor, my healer and my counselor. And I loved her for that. 
After my dad died, she became my pilar of strength. My mom had to take on a huge role and for that I commended her. When she took ill and had to go through the many surgeries and treatments, she didn't complain. She dealt with the discomfort and pain and still continued with her days. She had faith that God would take care of her. I will always remember Gracie and I being by her side when she fell into her sleep. I knew then that our Lord lifted her to the heavens. From there she will continue to always watch over us. My mom will forever be missed by me and my family. I will always remember her smile, her beautiful green eyes, her funny sense of humor, our outings at the casinos and most of all, her love for her family. My mom was one of a kind and I am so happy to have had the honor of being her daughter. I love you my friend, my confidant, my Mom. You will live on in my heart and my memory.

My dear sister Guerita. I love and miss you so much and will continue to love and miss you until we meet again. You were the most loving, caring and giving sister that anybody could ever have. I will cherish the times we spent together, whether it was visiting each other, talking on the phone or going to the casinos. Thank you for being such a beautiful sister inside and out.  I want you to know that I will be there for your family. If there is anything I can do to help them, if I can,I will be there. I will be their support system because I love them as much as I love you. I will, for the rest of my life, be so happy and proud of having you as my sister. 
Loving and missing you,
Your sister, Angie

My beautiful Tia what can I say that hasn't already been said. You were an amazing woman, someone I admired. If I could have even a tiny bit of your heart, your kindness, I knew I would be so lucky. Thank you for all the amazing memories you gave not only to me but to every person you touched. Another angel on earth has gone home. We all love you so much and we will miss you dearly. Give my grandpa a hug for me....until we meet again.

My beautiful Nina I have wonderful ,beautiful memories that will be with me forever God has received the most precious Angel I am very blessed to have had you be a role model not only to me but everyone that had the pleasure of knowing you and was part of your life we were all very lucky and blessed to have had you in our lives i will not say Good bye but see you later till we meet again I Love You Nina

My beautiful Tia Guera, you will forever be a shining light in our hearts. We will always cherish the memories we have of you. We are so glad that you were able to come and visit us in Texas, and that we were able to go see you in California. You have always been a very important person in our lives. We have far too many fond memories of you to write down. The ones we will hold near and dear to us are those of your laughter, smiles and most importantly, your love. My mom misses you dearly. You weren't only her sister, you were also her best friend. We will continue to be here for your beautiful children and their families, and we will continue to give them the love that you gave to all of us. This isn't goodbye, but until we meet again. We love you, always and forever!

To my beautiful Tia Guera,  we love you and you will be forever in our hearts. Till we meet again...

We are so blessed to say that our family has many wonderful memories of our beloved "Nana". The ones that stick out the most are the many times we traveled to Laughlin and even Vegas. We always had the best times from the car ride up, stopping at several rest stops along the way so she could go to the bathroom. Once we got to the hotel she would disappear into the Casino. The next time we saw her she was holding out her hand and low on funds. Another great memory was during softball season for our girls, when we would come back from camping in Blythe she always had a hot meal waiting so the girls could eat and take off to their game. We will always remember her sitting at her table in the kitchen working on her crossword puzzles. Although we were not blood related, Nana and Tata always made us feel like family. We are deeply saddened by her passing but we will never let her memory pass. She will live on in our hearts forever. Rest in Paradise "Nana". Until we meet again. <3 Love, Eddie, Jessica, Vanessa, Melissa & Analissa Gallegos

I remember the times as a child when my family & I would visit the family. I started visiting you & the family on my own as I got older. I would ride my bike or walk. When I had my drivers license I would drive. I recall the time I helped Tio paint the kitchen & part of the front porch walkway. If Tio needed my help I was there. I enjoyed the times you & I would just sit at the kitchen table & talk. I would have to talk to Tio outside because he was always working on something.
I opened my first bank account at Trans World Bank & after banking I would go talk with you, then I would visit Tio at the Pacoima Post Office. There is nothing greater then the love & attention you both gave. I love you Tia & Tio & my cousins dearly. Tio has been missed & now you too Tia will be missed. Though we have empty hearts, the way we can once again fill them is to reminisce of you both. Love You!

On angel's wings you were taken, but in my heart you will stay.  Only precious memories to cherish, now God's light leads the way.  Take comfort in an angel's love, there's no sorrow in Heaven above.  I know in my heart you're never alone since, that day God called you home.  In my soul your spirit sings, I know you're safe on angel's wings.  And in God's light you shine above, until we meet again my precious love.  Tia Guerra, you will be missed. My heart goes out to all of you.  Just know that she is now in heaven watching over you all.  Love your cousin Boris

God looked around his garden and found an empty place.  He then looked down upon this earth and saw your tired face.  He put his arms around you and lifted you to rest.  God's garden must be beautiful he always takes the best.  He knew you were in pain, He knew that you would never get well on earth again.  He saw that the road was getting rough and the hills are hard to climb So he closed your weary eyelids and whispered, "Peace be Thine".  It broke our hearts to lose you, But you didn't go alone.  For part of us went with you the day God called you home.  Our prayers are with you all.  Love your Tio Lalo and cousins Boris, Lucy, Malena

Maria Elena Torres "Tia Guera", You brought light in our hearts, you put smiles on our faces and you led by example. You will be dearly missed. As I write this, there are tears in my eyes. These tears are for the joyous days, sad days, days your children and Grand Children made you proud and because we know the pain of losing your Mother. There was always a light within you and I am sure everyone has seen it through those beautiful laughing eyes of yours that could see in to our souls. You are honored to stand beside our Lord and other members of the Family. Paula and I will pray for your Family during this sad time for them. Our deepest sympathy and love for the Family. Love, Art and Paula Ruiz

OBITUARY

Maria Elena Torres

May 28, 1941 – February 4, 2016

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