Apolonia Torres of Pendleton passed away into the arms of our Lord on Aug. 17, 2022 at the age of 87 with her loving family by her side .
Apolonia Torres was born on April 10, 1935 in Ahuijullo Jalisco, Mexico to Augustine and Maria Larios Delgado.
Born and raised in Mexico, she learned the virtues of courage, strength, faith, and genuine love for family. It was her determination to provide a better future for her family that prompted her to make the sacrifice and emigrate to the United States in 1974. This sacrifice was not without risk, yet the knowledge that God would provide safety, comfort, and opportunities for her children motivated her to embrace change.
She had the ability to make life beautiful, no matter the circumstances. Apolonia believed that no matter what life threw at you, we all have the choice to appreciate who we have around us and not what we have. Apolonia created a family that loves unconditionally through the toughest and best of times. She gave her family and friends unforgettable memories, touched our hearts and truly blessed us all.
Among her favorite things to do was bring her family together at the table to enjoy a traditional Mexican meal. The sound of laughter, tears, and pure joy would fill her house. She would create masterful dishes from her garden and orchard. She found great joy in her gardening, creating a colorful, luscious, and vibrant botanical oasis. Apolonia also enjoyed raising her chickens; she loved them as her “chiquitos” pets. Apolonia’s dedication to her family, garden, and work was obvious to all those around her.
She found employment at Lamb Weston in Connell, Wash. for the first six years and then transitioned to Simplot for 24 years, leading to her retirement in 2001. Throughout her retirement, she enjoyed traveling to see her family in
Mexico and her family in the U.S. In 2005 she became a U.S. citizen; this was one of her proudest accomplishments.
Apolonia is survived by her children, Guadalupe (Abraham) Contreras, Baltazar Torres, Adalberto (Elena) Torres, Arselia (Richard) Bishop, Rosario (Dennis) Mason, Apolinar Torres, Lorenzo (Carmen) Torres, Candi (Brad) Adams and Demetrio (Desiree) Torres; 32 grandchildren; and 37 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Augustine and Maria Delgado; son, Miguel Torres; daughter, Rosa “Lily” Torres; granddaughter, Sandra “Sunni” Torres Godinez; sister, Guadalupe Gutierrez; and brother, Silvano Delgado. A memorial service will be held at Our Lady of Angles Catholic Church, 565 W. Hermiston Ave., on Aug. 26, 2022.
The rosary service will be held on Friday, Aug. 26, 2022 at Our Lady of Angels Catholic Church at 10 a.m., followed by the funeral mass at 10:30 a.m.
A committal service will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27, 2022, at 11 a.m. at Riverview Cemetery in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.
Apolonia’s family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to her wonderful medical team, Good Shepherd Health Care System, Vange John Memorial Hospice, and our family and friends for all the love and support throughout this journey.
Apolonia’s advice to her loving family: “Pues mira, tu Nino solia ir a la basura en busca de guaraches viejos para darme. Era con todo su amor que me los daba. Los tome sin importarme de donde venian porque sabia que venian con todo su amor.” “Look, your Nino would search for shoes in the garbage to provide for me. It was with great love that he would give them to me. I received them regardless of where they came from because I knew that he was gifting them with all his love.”
Please share memories of Apolonia with her family at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
