Irene A.Torres, age 88, passed away peacefully to eternal rest on Sunday, June 23, 2024. She was born April 23, 1936 in Chaperrito, New Mexico to the late Teodoro and Victoria (Garduno) Apodaca. She attended school in Chaperrito and Corona, New Mexico. A lifelong Catholic, she was a member of Immaculate Conception Church. She loved God and always served him anyway she could, which included teaching catechism in the 1970's to several neighborhood and local kids. In her early years, she worked as an attendant at the New Mexico State Hospital where she met and fell in love with her late husband Patricio "Pat" Torres. They were united in marriage on July 2, 1960. She was a homemaker until her children started school. She then went to work as a teacher's aide and cook for the Las Vegas City Schools and also worked at the local Levi and Parachute Factories. She then became a babysitter for many years to several of her nieces and nephews and when her grandchildren came into the world she stayed home to care for all them as well. In 2001 she began a career as a foster grandma at Paul D. Henry Elementary until her 80th birthday in 2016. She loved working and being with kids and many of the local kids called and knew her as Grandma Irene until the end.

She is predeceased by her loving husband Pat Torres. Her parents Teodoro and Victoria Apodaca; her father and mother in-law Jose and Doloritas Torres; siblings Dora Gallegos(Paul), Bonifacio " Bonnie" Apodaca, Fermin Apodaca (Elisa), Nonato (Don) & Apodaca (Bertha) Mary Madrid, Eva Torrez (Larry MaKree), Frances Burch (Loren), and Priscilla Apodaca. Brother and Sisters in laws ; Doniciana Mares (Ray) , Alicia Salazar (Daniel), Bernabe (Bernie) Torres, Adan Torres , Dolores Torres and Dora Sena. Her children: Adan "Danny" Torres, David Torres, Tony Torres and special nephew George Torres. Special family friend Rev. George V. Salazar and several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends.

Irene is survived by her children: Patricia Flores (Pete) of Albuquerque, Geneva Garduno (Wilfred), Deacon Christopher "Chris" Torres (Lisa), Dwight J. Torres Sr. (Loretta) and Daughter in Laws ; Evelyn Torres and Patsy Torres all of Las Vegas, NM. Her grandchildren Victoria Garduno of Albuquerque, Carlos Garduno of Los Angeles, California, Christina Torres, Prescilla Torres and Patrick Torres all of Las Vegas, Melissa Montano (Ricardo) of Santa Fe, Stephen Torres (Taylor), Dwight Torres Jr., Thomas Zamora, and Daniel Jaramillo Jr. of Albuquerque, Ashley Jaramillo ( Pablo) of Las Vegas. Her great grandchildren; Andrina and Ajay Jiron, Isaac Gonzales, Abran Butler, Emilio, Eliseo and Eliana Torres, and Ezmae Garcia .

She is also survived by her siblings Roger Apodaca (Theresa) of Taos, NM, Leo Apodaca (Bernadette), Gloria Romero and Robert Apodaca (Jennie) all of Albuquerque, NM., Bertha Bustamante (Patrick) and Susan Apodaca (Charlotte) both of Las Vegas, NM. Brothers and sisters in law; Carmen Apodaca of Rocky Ford, Colorado, Wilfred Madrid and Sally Torres both of Santa Fe, NM. Including Special cousin Rita O. Suazo and special friend Martina Romero and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, god-children and close friends,

Services for Irene will be held at Immaculate Conception Church as follows: Holy Rosary, Friday, June 28, 2024 at 7:00 pm with mass of Christian Burial, Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 10:00 am with Father Dennis Garcia as Celebrant and burial immediately following the mass at the St. Anthony Cemetery in Las Vegas, NM. Pallbearers for Irene will be Patrick Torres, Stephen Torres, Dwight Torres, Jr, Thomas Zamora, Carlos Garduno and Martin Salazar. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Isaac Gonzales, Abran Butler, Daniel Jaramillo Jr, Emilio and Eliseo Torres, and Ajay Giron, and all her foster school grand kids she taught over the years.

Arrangements are entrusted to and under the care of Rogers Mortuary, 600 Reynolds Ave., Las Vegas, NM 87701, 505-425-3511 or 1-800-479-3511.

Please visit our online website at www.rogersmortuarynm.org to sign the online register book.

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