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Blanca Torres
08/16/1970 — 08/06/2010
From Kennewick, WA, US | Born in Pasco, Washington
Blanca Torres
Dear friends,
Blanca Torres, 39, went to be with the Lord on Friday, August 6th, at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle after a brain aneurysm ruptured. She was born on August 16, 1970 in Pasco, Washington to her parents, Abel and Belia Gonzalez.
She leaves her husband of 19 years, Albert, and sons, Isaiah, 14, and Ezequiel, 11, along with her four sisters, Gracie Campos, Elizabeth Chronister, Araceli Sanchez, Erika Zink, and her brother, Samuel Gonzalez, and her precious parents, Abel and Belia Gonzalez.
Blanca was an exceptional wife and loving mother. She always placed her family first.
Blanca was the president and co-owner of EXPOnw, which organized events and conventions with a Latino focus. She was also the vice president of t� Decides, a statewide bilingual newspaper covering northwest issues in English and Spanish.
Blanca Torres was a person who lit up every room she walked into. She was truly filled with God's Spirit, and she lived with a holy boldness that charmed and persuaded people to do the right thing for others and for themselves. She was a bright, intelligent, caring, phenomenal businesswoman and giving young woman.
Faith, family and education were her top priorities.
She was a Trustee on the Northwest University Foundation Board located in Kirkland, WA and a leading advocate for the Hispanic community and for bridging cultures. She also co-chaired a fundraising drive at Washington State University Tri-Cities under the Destination 5000 committee. She especially championed WSU Tri-Cities� efforts to become a Hispanic Serving Institution, a federal designation which will enable WSU Tri-Cities to support Hispanic students both socially and academically and enhance their chances for success in college.
In lieu of flowers the family would like you to consider donating to a great cause. In order to keep Blanca's dream alive two scholarship memorial funds have been created:
The Blanca Torres Scholarship Memorial Fund at Northwest University Online at http://www.northwestu.edu/give. Checks may be sent to Joni Campbell at Northwest University, P.O. Box 579, Kirkland, WA 98083 or. Inquiries should be directed to joni.campbell@northwestu.edu or 425-889-5203.
Washington State University Foundation/WSU Tri-Cities Blanca Torres Scholarship Fund 2710 University Drive, East 237 Richland, WA 99352 ATTN: Sharon Holden Online at https://secure.wsu.edu/foundation/giving/enteramount.asp?fund=Tri-Cities%20Blanca%20Torres%20Memorial%20Scholarship%20Fund Inquiries should be directed to sbholden@tricity.wsu.edu or 509-372-7207
Schedule of services all services are open to the public:
Memorial service, Friday 8-13-2010, 4pm, Three Rivers Convention Center, 7016 West Grandridge Boulevard, Kennewick, WA 99336. Seating capacity approximately 2, 000
Funeral service, Saturday 8-14-2010, 10am, Faith Assembly Christian Center, 7213 West Court Street, Pasco, WA 99301 Seating capacity approximately 1, 200
Graveside service, Saturday 8-14-2010, following funeral service, Sunset Memorial Gardens, 915 Bypass Highway, Richland, WA 99352. Fellowship gathering, Saturday 8-14-2010, following graveside service, Faith Assembly Christian Center, Pasco
Albert & Family,
Please accept my sympathy and continued prayers. I first met Blanca when Isaiah was in my classroom, and have always been inspired by your entire family. This is a great loss but her legacy lives on. God Bless you all. Jolene Broz
This is actually really hard for me to write. I knew Rosa for just ~3 years while we worked for the same company. And what prompted me to write this is that I found an e-mail from 2002 from Rosa that god knows why I kept and why I found it this week, but she was thanking me for helping her out as her peer and assisting her. My memories of Rosa are nothing but smiles and inspiration. I have not known Rosa for that long but when she left our company she was nothing but an inspiration to me because of her self motivation and courage to take on any challenge in front of her. Araceli and I still work at the same company and I want you to know that I am there for you – Albert I met you only once but honestly you and the boys are in my thoughts every day, and I know that your faith will help you through this.
I met Rosie in the 2nd grade at Mesa Elementary. We quickly became best friends. Our families were migrants, working in the devastating heat, breaking their backs, while she and I sat in an air conditioned classroom. Even at such a young age she was so passionate about doing well in school and understood that her only contribution to her family was to do well in school. I don’t think she herself realized the magnitude of her own words and actions. She had the talent to inspire without saying a word.
She recently met my three girls and I introduced her as “Rosie”. She started laughing and couldn’t believe I was still calling her by that name.
No one ever wants to lose a loved one – as difficult as it is, please don’t lose faith in our compassionate God.
Oh Blancita,
There are so many beautiful memories but what stands out most of all is your giving heart. I remember when you came knocking on my door with Christmas presents for my kids and expected nothing in return. Or the time when you filled your car full of flower baskets, and when I asked you what you were going to do with all of those flowers you simply replied “give them away”. In true Blanca style, you gave the credit to someone else and told me that Albert had taught you how to be a giver… but see I knew better because I knew you as a child. Blanca you were my cousin, but also my childhood best friend. I remember the beautiful times we shared in Mesa playing on the swings without a care in the world. Oh Blanca I am so thankful for the the sweet girl you were then and so proud of the gracious and beautiful woman you became. I will always cherish all the beautiful memories we shared and I will never forget my beautiful prima.
I love you Blanca.
OUR DEEPEST CONDOLES TO ALL THE FAMILY.WE WILL ALWAYS REMEMBER HER BIG SMILE.HER MEMORY WILL ALWAYS BE ALIVE IN OUR HEARTS.I MEMBER THE FIRST TIME I MET HER AND THE FAMILY AT TEMPLO BATI.MANY YEARS BLANCA ALWAYS CALLD ME HER TOCAYA.I WAS A LITTLE YOUNGER SO I DIDNT NO WAT SHE MENT.BUT I WILL NEVER FORGET HER OR HER BEATIFUL SMILE.SHE WILL ALWAYS BE MY INSPARATION..GOD BLESS THE WHOLE GONZALEZ AND TORRES FAMILY….SHE WILL ALWAYS BE MISSD…….
Albert:
Thank you for placing your trust in us, and thank you for allowing us to serve you and your family. It is an honor and a pleasure.
May God bless you and your family.
Stefanie
Sunset Memorial Gardens
Einan’s Funeral Home
Albert & Gracie,
Words will never be able to express the sadness and devastated absence felt at the loss of Blanca. She was such a sweet, strong woman driven by a mission. Albert, you were her rock and she loved you so much. People only dream of what you and Blanca had together. Gracie, it took me so long to know who was who when the two of you weren’t together, which didn’t seem to be often. Sister’s couldn’t have loved each other more. I am going to miss seeing Blanca walk down the hall everyday.
To the entire Torres and Gonzalez family, my deepest condolences
Abel and Belia Gonzalez and family, we are very sorry for your loss and our hearts hurt with yours. Our families have known each other for it seems like a life time. We were nieghbors in Mesa, Wa. and our children played together. We wish to express our heartfelt condolences for all of Blancas’ loved ones. We have not kept in daily contact but it feels as if we have. You and your family have a special place in our hearts. Remember the love and great memories of Blanca to help you through this very hard time.
God bless you and your family
Albert, Isaiah, Ezequiel and the Gonzalez Family;
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this difficult time. We are so sorry for your loss. We will miss Blanca so very much. Throughout the years, we’ve had the chance to get to know her well and we have come to value her friendship, kindness and thoughtfulness. We will miss her laugh, and her amazing sense of humor. Blanca’s memory is held deep within our hearts.
May the comfort of God help you during this difficult time and may you take comfort in knowing an angel is watching over you.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Rosa and I went to high school together but never met until we worked together. I hadn’t spoken to Rosa in years, but I thought about her just yesterday – I can’t drive by a Ross store without her popping into my head, she always looked amazing. She had a true passion for her faith and I was always inspired by her. I didn’t always agree with her but I loved to talk/debate with her about everything. Rosa loved her family so much she talked about you all the time and I know her loss is devastating. I wish there were words that could remove your pain but only time and faith can heal. Albert, you and your family are in my thoughts.
Guestbook for
Blanca Torres