Deanna, I’ve often thought of You over the years since High School. This news is very sad to hear. 🙏 to Your Family 💕

Deanna was a joy to sing with for over 15 years. She was one of the first people who talked to me when I joined the chorale at Cypress College, and we became friends right away. She was always smiling and kind and cared about what was going on in my life. 

I am terribly sorry for the family's loss. Deanna had an impact on many, many people's lives, and will be remembered with great fondness and love.

In Loving Memory of Miss Torchia

My family and I were devastated when we received the news ❤️‍🩹
My son had Miss Torchia as his first grade teacher last year. She was very loving and caring not only with my son but with all her students. 
Every time my son was absent she made sure to stop by and ask if everything was okay with him.
Going back to all our messages, she was always very kind and making sure my son knew she was always there for him.
When my son's grandmother passed and we had to fly out to Mexico she was so attentive and always saying "Please give him a hug and tell him I miss him". When my son went back to school she always made sure he was doing okay after his grandma passed.
My son always knew how much she loved him!!! 
He always wanted to take her little gifts! 
We will make sure he always remembers her with all the happy memories. My family and I will always keep her in a very special place in our hearts. May she rest in peace ❤️‍🩹

The Alcaraz Family

Miss. Torchia.
She was and will always be a wonderful teacher for our son in first grade. She will forever remain in our hearts and specially in our son's.
We will be forever grateful for all her love.💚
The Alfaro family.

In loving memory of Deanna Lee Torchia,

To Deanna's family, I share in your sorrow. I first met Deanna when she was just three or four years old—a quiet, gentle child whose warm smile could light up my heart. We share the same middle name, a small connection I've always cherished. After her family moved away, I missed them dearly, but her parents kept me updated on her life—her journey to college and her dedication as a teacher. On my desk sits a coffee cup, a cherished gift from Deanna and her sisters in the mid-1970s, decorated with a birthday drawing. Whenever I see it, I can't help but smile.

With love and friendship,
Danny Horton

Dearest Family and friends, 

Tammy and I became best friends in second grade, and I had the honor and privilege to grow up with Deanna and Lori as well. We spent summers in the pool, watched movies, played childhood games, washed cars, braided each others hair, performed talent shows for each other,  and did homework together after school at the family table with Oreo cookies.  I was blessed to be welcomed into the best family! Deanna’s spirit represents the entire family. The best family you could ever know! Full of goodness, love, and always caring for each other to the fullest. Deanna has always been the kindest, smartest, gentle soul that was so admirable. She came into this world as a child with all the attributes that all her best friends, colleagues, and students describe her as in her adult life. Always sweet,  kind, thinking of others with a heart of gold!  May we all find comfort to know we will all be with our Lord in Heaven together one day for eternity! Love you Dee!

Miss Torchia was the first teacher my son had when we made the switch to Sunkist. At the time, both my son and I were very worried. He had experienced severe anxiety with his previous teacher and had even needed therapy both inside and outside of school to help him through it. As a parent, I feared that those same feelings might continue.
But everything changed when he met Miss Torchia.
Miss Torchia became a light in my son’s life. He absolutely loved her. He loved how kind, patient, gentle, and caring she was. Because of her, my son never missed a single day of school that year. If she was ever absent, he would ask me what happened and if his teacher was okay. When she returned, he would even ask her himself if she was feeling better. That’s how much she meant to him.
Even after my son moved on to 3rd grade, Miss Torchia never stopped caring. She would still send me messages asking how he was doing and if he was coping well. She would see him walking with his teacher and would even take it upon herself to check in with them just to make sure he was okay.
That kind of love and dedication is rare. Miss Torchia truly cared for her students, and you could see that teaching was not just her job — it was her heart. Her kindness and compassion changed my son’s school experience and helped him heal in ways that words cannot fully express.
Her love for her students never went unnoticed. She will forever hold a very special place in my heart and in my son’s life.
The world needs more teachers like Miss Torchia. She will truly be missed.

Miss Torchia was the first teacher my son had when we made the switch to Sunkist. At the time, both my son and I were very worried. He had experienced severe anxiety with his previous teacher and had even needed therapy both inside and outside of school to help him through it. As a parent, I feared that those same feelings might continue.

But everything changed when he met Miss Torchia.

Miss Torchia became a light in my son’s life. He absolutely loved her. He loved how kind, patient, gentle, and caring she was. Because of her, my son never missed a single day of school that year. If she was ever absent, he would ask me what happened and if his teacher was okay. When she returned, he would even ask her himself if she was feeling better. That’s how much she meant to him.

Even after my son moved on to 3rd grade, Miss. Torchia never stopped caring. She would still send me messages asking how he was doing and if he was coping well. She would see him walking with his teacher and would even take it upon herself to check in with them just to make sure he was okay.

That kind of love and dedication is rare. Miss Torchia truly cared for her students, and you could see that teaching was not just her job — it was her heart. Her kindness and compassion changed my son’s school experience and helped him heal in ways that words cannot fully express.

Her love for her students never went unnoticed. She will forever hold a very special place in my heart and in my son’s life.

The world needs more teachers like Miss Torchia. She will truly be missed.
We love you Miss. Torchia 
Sincerely,
Saldivar family

Deanna was such a lovely addition to Meritage Vocal Arts and Southern California Master Chorale. She always had a smile to share, an ear to listen and a desire to add the best she could to our alto section. Her loss comes as a tremendous loss to all of her singing family. The Brahms Requiem will be performed soon- and I know there will be many tears shed during its' moving beauty- a tribute to our Deanna.

Penny collecting on Main St. in Boerne, TX

Beer tasting at a new brewery in Boerne, TX

Lake Powell on our way to see Rainbow Bridge

Deanna found kittens... but they weren't kittens.  They were baby raccoons!

Always loved by all her students. 
Such a kind and genuine soul. 
She will be missed by many students and parents. 

Rest in paradise 🤍

We have no words to explain how much we miss you. You meant the world to my son.  Thank you for bringing joy, peace, motivation, happiness, comprehension and love to my son and family.  We love you and miss you. Thank you for your amazing work and friendship. 💕🙏

Miss Torchia receiving one of the many awards she earned for all the dedication and amazing work she did. I miss you dearly.

Nellie Olsen at Little House, one of our favorite shows as kids.

Little House on the Prairie reunion 12/25

Sunkist School
Walk to School Day - always greeting kids with a smile!

Sunkist 2025
Frozen Kids
Musical Director

I am completely heartbroken over the loss of Ms. Torchia. She was such a kind, patient, and loving teacher, and my son Taeden truly adored her. She made such a positive difference in his life, and we will always be grateful for the care and encouragement she gave him. Please know that our family is keeping you all in our thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

Whenever I share the loss of Dee the one thing that always shines through “She was so kind”  I am blessed that she referred to me as her Nana.  We shared among many other things our mutual love of puzzles and she always kept me well supplied.  A very bright light has been dimmed with the loss of dear Dee..

Miss Torchia,
Thank you for the love and everything you poured into the children, the patience, and kindness you gave to my child. You were more than a teacher — you were a light in the classroom and in our lives. Your love and legacy will live on in them. We are heartbroken, but so grateful for the time we had with you. 
Heaven  truly gained a beautiful soul. 💔🤍

You were the kindest, sweetest soul.  💕 loved by so many.

We shared lots of laughs and tears. Laughing together was the best!

Deedee,  I still can’t quite believe you’re gone, and part of me keeps hoping this isn’t real.  You and Colleen shared a friendship that spanned more than 20 years, and from the very beginning, you welcomed me so easily into that bond.  You had such a genuine way of caring for people, and it always showed in the little things. 

Even though you were Colleen’s friend first, you became mine too.  You never forgot my birthday, always checking in with a kind text.  Whenever we traveled, you made sure we arrived safely and got home okay.  When Colleen and I finished our master’s degrees, the gifts you gave us were so thoughtful and perfectly you.

We’re so thankful for the memories we have with you, even though we wish there were more.  I’ll always smile thinking about that summer road trip you and Colleen took to Minnesota and back, all the time you spent together, and how much I loved knowing you were side by side for that adventure.

Deedee, you will always be loved and so deeply missed.

Ms. Torchia was such an amazing person and teacher. Her and our Eli had a such an amazing relationship. She made him feel safe and even during summer break she would check on him and they would always talk about their cats because they had the same breed of cats. Eli took this loss really hard as we did. We were so blessed and grateful to have known this beautiful person inside and out.

OBITUARY

Deanna Lee Torchia

4 February, 1970 – 22 February, 2026

McAulay & Wallace Mortuary

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