Celia Quiroz Torres

Celia Quiróz Torres was welcomed into heaven on November 17, 2013 at the young age of 96. She was born on January 27, 1917 in Tamazula, Mexico to Sabina Franco Díaz and Esteban Quiróz and was the youngest daughter of nine children. Celia and some of her sisters moved to San Sebastian and later they lived in Guadalajara. During this time, Celia was a teacher who was sent to teach the children of the countryside. She would bring her two daughters to live with her in the schoolhouse while she taught in the pueblo. Years later, Celia would return to the towns and be called Maestra (a highly respected title). Celia and her sister Carlota moved to Tijuana, leaving her girls with her sister Elpidia, to find a better life for her family. She became the head nurse at a small hospital. A doctor helped her bring her girls to Tijuana and generously allowed Celia and her two girls to live in one of the rooms. It was in Tijuana that she met and married Salvador Loza Torres (deceased).

Celia was extremely proud of becoming a US citizen in 1951 and she lived in San Diego ever since. For these years, Celia lived in her house on 40th St in East San Diego where she raised her children, and welcomed grandchildren, great grandchildren, and friends and family into her kitchen and home.

Some of her travels included the Bahamas, Cancun, Acapulco, Florida, Hawaii, Guadalajara, and Guayabitos. She even climbed to the top of Chichén Itzá!

For the past 3 years, Celia stayed in Los Angeles at her daughter’s home. Irma and family cared for her and welcomed all of Celia’s visitors weekly. Celia was able to return to San Diego on November 2, 2013 to stay with her son, Mickey.

Celia was blessed with and survived by her four children Rosa Quiróz Flores (Octavio Flores), Irma Robles, Ana Fuentes (Manuel Fuentes, deceased), and Michael (Mickey) Torres (Christine Torres). 14 grand children; 23 great-grand children; and 6 great-great grand children also survive her.

She loved beautiful flowers and cooking for her loved ones. Her legacy leaves aromas of home-made tortillas, beans, rice, tamales, albondigas, relleno (thanksgiving stuffing), roasted chilies, sesame seed cookies, etc., etc.! Muy rico!

Celia Quiróz Torres, our Mom and Nana, taught by example the importance of family, faith, and love. We have a part of her in all of us.

Que Dios te bendiga!

Services for Celia Quiróz Torres will be held Saturday, November 23, 2013 at Our Lady of the Sacred Heart (4177 Marlborough Ave, San Diego, CA 92105) at 12:00 p.m. in San Diego, CA. A viewing and rosary will be held on Friday November 22, 2013 from 5:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Goodbody Mortuary (5027 El Cajon Blvd, San Diego, CA 92115). The rosary will begin at 6:00 p.m.

Blessed are those who died in the Lord; let them rest from their labors for their good deeds go with them.

Eternal rest grant Celia, O Lord.

May she rest in peace. Amen.

May her soul and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.