Maria "Gloria" Islas Grijalva TorrezMaria "Gloria" Islas Grijalva Torrez, 92, passed away peacefully at her son David’s residence surrounded by all her family on Monday, November 20, 2017. She was born in Santa Rita, NM on April 11, 1925 to Adelino and Beatrice Grijalva. Mrs. Torrez was loved by not only family and friends, but also the entire community. Her beautiful smile and passion for being around people, made it easy for anyone to immediately love her. Gloria loved praying her rosary, reading her prayers, putting on her make-up, watching her daily Catholic Mass, the Price is Right, Jeopardy, and Wheel of Fortune, eating breakfast at the Drifter and being around her children. She was the "epitome" of the word "Lady."
She is survived by daughters Belinda Salas and husband Ysidro of Silver City, Leonard G. Torrez and wife Lilia of Las Cruces, NM Rose Marie and husband Joseph Gonzales of Houston, TX, and David R. Torrez Jr. and wife Carolyn of Silver City. Carolyn, was to our mamma, a very special daughter. She was preceded in death by her husband David R. Torrez, Sr., parents Adelino and Beatrice Grijalva, sister Elisa Ojinaga, brothers Adelino Grijalva Jr, Horace "Lacho" Grijalva, grandson Ralph J. Solano, her special niece Marie "Lizzy" Padilla, and daughter in law Mary Esther Torrez. Mrs. Torrez had a very special bond with her sister in law, but to her, a sister, Ms. Patsy Grijalva, her beloved nieces, Florene, Pinky, Francine, Patricia, Dee Ann, Alicia, and nephews Chemito Ojinaga, Wikki Ojinaga and wife Wedra and another two sons to her Patrick Flores and Teddy Martinez. Mrs. Torrez also loved the only Doctor in her eyes, Dr. John Stanley who took excellent care of her for years.
She also loved her beloved Compadres Birdie and Martha Jimenez, Comadre Margaret Gonzales, her surrounding neighbors in Bayard, and special friends, Ms. Diane Arzola, Lillie and Paco Arzola, Mr. Robert "Raton" Alvarado, and Ms. Miriam Montes. She also leaves behind grandsons John David Solano and wife Samantha of Santa Ana, CA, Leonard Eric Torrez and wife Allie of Las Cruces, NM, Joseph Gonzales Jr., and Fiancée Lorena of Houston Texas, David R. Torrez, III and Fiancée Bre of Phoenix Arizona, and Phillip M. Torrez also of Phoenix, Arizona. Granddaughters Erica Hild and husband Nathan of Fredericksburg, VA, Jessica Torrez, of Las Cruces, NM Maria Elena Kuehne, Veronica Gonzales, both of Houston, TX, Michelle N. Torrez, of Casa Grande, AZ Jennifer Carbajal and Ariana Ortiz, both of Silver City, NM, and numerous great grand-children. Visitation
will be held at Terrazas Funeral Chapels on Sunday, 26 November from 3 to 4pm. At 4pm the Prayer Vigil being recited by Deacon Art Gutierrez and the Holy Rosary will be led by Florene Andazola and Paulene "Pinky" Flores. The Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated on Monday, 27 November at 11am at St. Francis Newman Center in Silver City, led by Father Jarek Nowacki. Internment will take place Tuesday, 28 November at 2pm at Fort Bayard National Cemetery where she will be laid to rest by her husband. Serving as Pallbearers will be, Leonard Eric Torrez, Joseph Gonzales Sr., David R. Torrez, III, Phillip M. Torrez, Patrick Flores, and Lorenzo "Lencho" Marquez. Honorary Pallbearers will be Joseph Gonzales, Jr., Willie Andazola, Aurelio Flores, Ronnie Padilla, Teddy Martinez, Steve Arellanes, Roland Martinez, John David Solano, and Faustino "Tino" Galindo.
Arrangements are with Terrazas Funeral Chapels and Crematory "Trusted care for the ones you love" ~ 575-537-0777. To send condolences, visit www.terrazasfuneralchapel.com.