Amalia A. Torrez

Amalia A. Torrez passed to eternal life on June 7, 2024, just 33 days shy of her 100th birthday. She was born to Gregorio and Dolores Arenas on July 10, 1924 in Leon, Guanajuato in Mexico. As a woman of many talents and adventures, she had no fear of traveling—as a young woman she traveled by way of train from Leon to visit her sister in Chicago, Illinois. While on route, she met a young woman traveling with her father and became friends. This young woman was named Esperanza Torrez and invited Amalia to visit her in Waukegan, Illinois. Amalia accepted the invitation, and it was there when she met a young marine, Yancey B. Torrez. He became enamored of her, and on November 29, 1952, they married at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Waukegan. They were married for 62 years until the passing of Yancey Torrez in 2015, one month shy of their 63rd wedding anniversary.

Of this marriage, six children were born, all of whom survive her: Rafael Torrez (Ruth Vazquez), Martha E. Valle (Juan, deceased), Henry “Rick” Torrez (Mildred), Yolanda Torrez (Jose Zuniga), Edward Torrez (Andrea Terry) and Hector Torrez. Amalia and Yancey also had eleven grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. They always had an open seat at the table for their children, grandchildren, and extended family.

Amalia worked at Abbott Laboratories for over 20 years, and in retirement, she spent countless hours with her grandchildren, reading, completing word search puzzles, and listening to music. She was a devoted mother making sure her children had a hot breakfast every morning before she began her shift at 7:00am. She was exceptionally talented in creating complex and beautiful knitted and crocheted crafts. She was Etsy before Etsy. She made baby blankets, scarves, mittens for her grandchildren and those of her friends. She made afghans that shall be handed down from generation to generation. She was proud to pass down to her family the cultural traditions from her beloved Mexico. She was known for her annual Posada at Christmas time and the unique rendition of A la Rorro Niño, a traditional lullaby to rock Baby Jesus to sleep. Each year, she appointed new godparents for Baby Jesus and made hundreds of tamales for her family and friends for Christmas Eve. She especially loved her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, opening her home to them and always desiring their presence at family events. Her grandchildren and all will miss her wonderful Mexican rice and her homemade tamales.

Amalia had a wicked sense of humor, bringing a gregarious presence to the many parties and dances she attended. She loved to socialize and enjoyed concerts, banquets, and shows. Amalia saw and experienced a lot of life, beginning with her travels to Chicago, then to Acapulco, Cozumel, Spain, Morocco and even Holland… Michigan! She became a United States citizen in 1975. She enjoyed life and unconditional love from her husband and would marvel at how he supported all she did.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Yancey B. Torrez, her parents, parents-in-law, her son-in-law, Juan J. Valle, grandson Rafael Torrez, Jr. and granddaughter Christina Torrez, as well as her sisters, several brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, and friends and other family members.

A visitation for Amalia will be held Wednesday, June 12, 2024 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Marsh Funeral Home, 305 N Cemetery Rd, Gurnee, IL 60031. And again on Thursday, June 13, 2024 from 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM followed by a funeral mass at 10: 00 AM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 508 Grand Ave, Waukegan, IL 60085. Interment at Ascension Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum, 1920 W Buckley Rd, Libertyville, IL 60048.