Luz Delia Torres

Luz Delia Torres was a soft spoken, gentle woman who was driven by love for her family. She approached her life with a simple attitude, finding joy in working hard and loving even harder. A devoted wife, loving mother, and doting grandmother, Luz Delia Torres lived a life to be proud of.

The 1920’s rushed in with a roar, bringing with them the age of the speakeasy, jazz, prohibition and flappers. Luz’s story begins as this decade is drawing to a close, right at the dawn of the Great Depression. In Loiza, Puerto Rico, Facundo and Valeriana (nee Melendez) Mundo were busily preparing their home for the birth of a new child. On January 12, 1927 the Mundo’s joyfully welcomed their new bundle of joy into their lives, a baby girl they called Luz. Luz spent a happy childhood growing up in Puerto Rico. One of 12 children in her family, Luz never lacked a playmate. She spent much of her childhood in school as well, and proudly completed high school.

In 1953, Luz made a decision that would change her life. And, like most life changing decisions, it was driven by love. After having met a young man named Jose Torres, Luz decided that she would follow that man anywhere. In 1953, she ended up doing just that. While Jose lived in Puerto Rico as well, he decided to move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where his brother was living. When he moved, Luz moved with him, and the two soon settled on the east side of Milwaukee. Then, on July 17,1954 Luz and Jose joyfully exchanged vows and permanently joined their lives together in marriage.

Luz enjoyed her new life in Milwaukee, and often took the bus downtown to shop at Boston Store or Gimbel’s department stores. Before long, Luz and Jose were blessed with a family, welcoming their first son, Manuel, into their home in 1956. Manuel’s birth was soon followed by two more sons, David in 1960 and Raul in 1963. Luz loved being a mother, and took great joy in staying at home to raise them and create a loving home for her family. Her love for her children didn’t make her too soft though—she was quite the disciplinarian, and always made sure her sons stayed on the right path.

When her children were a little bit older, Luz decided to try her hands working outside of the home. She obtained a job as a secretary at the Guadalupe Head Start, which was one of the first head start programs in Milwaukee. Her skills in speaking Spanish were of great help to the staff and parents in the program, and she would often translate between the two groups. The job was a great fit for her, as Luz loved children. Luz retired from Guadalupe Head Start in 1991 after 35 years of service.

Luz took great joy as her children grew older and she was blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren. Family was always very important to her, and she would never pass up an opportunity to invite her family and friends to her home on a Saturday night for a game bingo and a bowl of “asopao” (chicken and rice soup). In fact, one of Luz’s favorite traditions was to host Sunday lunch at her home, a tradition which her children always enjoyed. She was so eager to provide this meal for her children that, if they were not able to come, she didn’t hesitate to bring lunch to them! And several times, Luz was able to visit her family in Puerto Rico, though she had to overcome a dislike of flying to do so.

Unfortunately, age began to take its toll on Luz’s health. After experiencing shortness of breath during a trip to Puerto Rico, Luz went to the doctor and was diagnosed with pulmonary fibrosis. This disease soon became too much for her to handle alone, and it became necessary for her to have in-home hospice care. In August of 2010, a fall at home required Luz to enter Maple Ridge Health and Rehabilitation. After a brave fight of 4 years, Luz died on September 6, 2010.

Luz was a beloved wife, a cherished mother and a devoted grandmother. Surrounded by her family, Luz lived a life full of joy and love, and she will be forever treasured by those who loved her. She will be greatly missed.

Luz was preceded in death by her beloved husband Jose M. Torres. She was the cherished mother of Manuel (Kathy) Torres, David Torres and Raul (Marie) Torres. Luz is further survived by 7 grandchildren, 5 great-grandchildren, brothers, sisters other relatives and friends here and in Puerto Rico.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 9, at the Suminski Family Funeral Homes Funeral Home, 1901 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee, WI 53202 at 6:30 until the time of the funeral service at 8:30 PM. A private interment at Holy Cross Cemetery will follow. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a memory, share a photo, and sign the online guest book.