Concepcion Torres Miguel

Concepcion Torres was born on November 28, 1944 in El Paso,Texas to Concepcion and Francisco Sr. Torres. Named after her mother, she is the third child following her eldest brothers Andres and Francisco Jr. and before her younger sister Mary, who were all raised in El Paso.

Also known as Connie or Concha to her family and friends, she attended Zavala Elementary, Henderson Junior High and graduated from Jefferson High School in 1963 where she was a proud Fox. In 1967 the Torres family moved to Highland Park, a small community in Northeast Los Angeles.

In 1968 Connie decided to change from her office job and went into Kress Department Store in Highland Park to seek employment. As the story goes, when she went to return her job application to the manager she caught the attention of an employee. As she walked out of the store the employee asked the manager if he knew if Connie was from Hawaii because of her long dark hair. The employee told the manager he had to hire her, for this was love at first sight. That employee turned out to be her future husband Lindberth Miguel.

On June 13, 1970 Connie and Lind exchanged their marriage vows at Our Lady of Loretto Parish in Los Angeles. After they married they moved into a couple small apartments and welcomed their first child, Leilani in 1973. On May 8, 1975 they received the keys to their house in Highland Park. Their son Martin was welcomed into their lives in 1976.

Connie was a supportive wife and mother. After working at Kress, she began working at Thrifty Drug Store which later became Rite Aid Pharmacy. In 1999 she retired and was able to spend more time with her family.

After moving to Los Angeles, Connie found her love for the Lakers and Dodgers. She would listen to the games with her father on his little transistor radio and later would enjoy watching the games on television. There was hardly a time when you wouldn’t hear her yell out “Come on Lakers!!!” or “Let’s go Dodgers!!!”

In 2005, Connie became a first time Grandmother to Brendan who at four years old gave her the nickname of Grandma Honey. She was given this nickname because one day she closed her bedroom door so she could change her clothes. Brendan kept knocking and asking for her to open the door. She didn’t open the door, but told him she was changing and would be out in a minute. Brendan decided to try and change his voice to sound like his Pappy to get her to open the door. Brendan called out, “Hon” which he often heard his Pappy call her. Trying to make his voice sound deeper, it didn’t fool her but it was then she received and embraced her nickname Grandma Honey. In 2008 Grandma Honey welcomed her granddaughter Brianna in 2008. Connie was present for her grandchildren’s birth and being part of their lives growing into their teens. Like with her own kids, she was there to support her grandchildren in their sports and school performances.

On April 14, 2023, Connie passed away peacefully with her daughter and son by her side holding each of her hands. She was called to join the love of her life, her husband Lind, parents Concepcion and Francisco Sr., brothers Andres and Francisco Jr. and all beloved family and friends that were lost throughout the years. She is survived by her daughter Leilani Miguel, son Martin Miguel and grandchildren Brendan and Brianna Miguel, as well as her sister Mary Torres. She will be forever loved and always missed by all who knew her.