Obituary

Justina Torres, age 90 of Goodyear, AZ died April 29, 2017 in Peoria, AZ. She was born on September 27, 1926 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico to Guillermina and Belnavel Torres. She was one of nine children born to this union. From the time she was very young, Justina could be found working to help support her family in any way possible.

In 1945 Justina moved to the Bronx, New York where she dreamed of starting a new life and supporting her family in Puerto Rico. She quickly found work in the fashion industry and within a few years she had saved enough money to relocate the rest of her family to New York.

In the 1950’s she met a local businessman, Eladio Gonzalez who would soon become her closest companion and friend. In February 1959 the couple welcomed a baby girl, Daisy Gonzalez into the world. After a few years together Eladio became homesick and soon returned to Puerto Rico. Justina continued working to support her growing family and established herself as a skilled seamstress, finding work at Parisian Maid, a distributor for Macy’s and Bamburgers where she remained until her retirement in 1990. After retiring, Justina relocated to Orange County, California to live with her daughter and her family. She enjoyed caring for others and played an integral role in raising her two grandchildren, Celinnette and Amelanio, Jr.

In 1998, Mama (as she was affectionately called) became a great-grandmother, and quickly became known for spoiling all the grand and great-grandchildren in the family. Mama made it clear that there would be no one else raising the babies besides her, and she was met with no opposition. Justina could always be found going for walks, and spending time with her family and friends. However, her real love was in the kitchen. Anyone close to Mama would say that she left her heart on the stove, especially in her homemade pancakes. In 2004 the family relocated to Goodyear, Arizona where she remained until her passing on April 29, 2017. Her legacy of love and adoration will continue to live on in her surviving family: daughter and son-in-law Daisy and Amelanio Diaz, Sr.; granddaughter Celinnette Diaz; grandson, Amelanio Diaz, Jr.; great-grandchildren Kyle Hammontree, Ethan Diaz, Noah Diaz, Emily Diaz, Isaiah Diaz Marquez, and Elijah Diaz; a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and many close friends. Today we memorialize and celebrate the life of a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend.

A visitation will be held at 5:30 pm with a rosary at 6:30 pm, Tuesday, May 2, 2017 at Thompson Funeral Chapel, 926 S. Litchfield Road, Goodyear, AZ. A mass will be held at 3:00 pm, Wednesday, May 3, 2017 at St John Vianney Catholic Church, 539 E. LaPasada Blvd, Goodyear, AZ 85338.