Verna Jean Torres

Verna Jean Torres passed away peacefully on Feb 6, 2023 at the age of 93. She is preceded in death by her husband Ralph Torres, her first husband, J.A. Brittain, parents Effie and Walter Adams, brother Leonard Adams and sister Jannine Koster. Verna is survived by her daughters Sharon Allen and Ellen Doherty (Mike) and grandsons Travis Allen (Vanessa) and Shawn Doherty. She is survived by step children Rosemarie Acedo (Richard) and Jerry Torres (Rita). Verna is also survived by nieces and nephews and cousins who loved her dearly.

Verna was born on May 27, 1929 in Lordsburg, New Mexico. Verna was brought home to the family ranch outside of Rodeo, New Mexico. Verna was very close to her parents as she was an only child for quite a few years until Leonard was born. Verna spent a lot of time with her cousins Doris and Norman Adams and Carol Dunagan who lived in Animas. They all attended Animas schools where Verna and Doris played volleyball. In addition they played on the tennis team and were cheerleaders.

Verna left high school and married Sally Brittain in September 1946. Sally and Verna lived in Animas, Tyrone, NM, the Gray Ranch and finally settled at South Wells near Hachita, NM where Sally worked for the Diamond A as a cowboy and windmiller. Verna cooked for the help. Sharon was born in 1954 and Ellen in 1959, both in Silver City, NM. In January 1960, the Brittain family moved to Douglas, AZ where Sally took a job for the Cochise County Road Dept. Verna started work after a while, first at the bakery at the new AJ Bayless store and then she went to work for the Douglas Unified Schools in the school cafeteria where she worked for 12 years.

Although Verna worked hard, she was the Mom who supported her girls in their interests and made sure they got to where they needed to go. Verna was also active in the Order of the Eastern Star eventually becoming Worthy Matron. She played the piano at church and organized the GA's--the Girl's Association, a Christian organization for young girls. Verna loved to bowl and cherished her bowling trophies to the end. Verna was an outstanding cook, cooking traditional dishes, but always wanting to try new things. It was the same with music. On Saturdays, the house cleaning day, Verna would put music on the stereo and the girls were introduced to different types of music such as Harry Belafonte and Perry Como along with her favorite country western artists.

Sally and Verna divorced in 1975, and she moved to Tucson where she worked in food service and went to Lamson Business School. Ralph Torres, her 2nd husband and she moved to Willcox where Verna received her GED at the age of 46. Soon Verna and Ralph moved to Phoenix. Verna rode the bus and looked for a job. She was hired by the Dept of Public Safety where she retired. These were big accomplishments for Verna. Ralph and Verna enjoyed little trips around the state and in to New Mexico. They were big supporters of the Phoenix Suns, even attending some games. Verna continued to be a Suns fan well in to her 90's. After retirement, they moved to Tucson to be closer to Effie, Verna's Mom and to the kids and grandkids.

Verna loved to cook and have family over especially at Christmas. She was famous for her tacos, bean salad, scalloped potatoes, sugar cookies, rum balls and pecan pie! She and Ralph were the Christmas decorators extraordinaire. They grew lovely flowers and always had a nice yard no matter the size. She doted on her grandsons, Travis and Shawn and became Grandma to Vanessa, Travis's wife. When Ralph passed away in 2012, Verna moved into an apartment by herself and settled in pretty well, although she missed Ralph tremendously. She enjoyed going to lunch with family and any other places she was talked in to. She was always game to go somewhere. When she was 84, she was taken on a family vacation to Hawaii which was a once in a lifetime trip. She enjoyed the beautiful scenery and good food, but most of all, the trip to Pearl Harbor was definitely a highlight.

Verna's last years were spent at Sherwood Village Assisted Living where she was a favorite among the staff with her kindness and good humor.