Marta Torres

Marta Torres y Hernandez departed this world Monday, July 16, 2007, to join her personal savior the Lord Jesus Christ. She came into this world Feb. 17, 1924, born in Havana, Cuba, to Senor y Senora Oscar Torres. Her family fled Cuba in the early 1960's. Her Mother having died at a very young age, Marta was raised by her beloved Aunt, Sarah Torres y Meiner. In later years Marta brought her elderly Aunt Sarah to live with her here in Poplar Bluff where Marta cared for her until her death at the age of 102.

Marta was a graduate of the University of Havana where she received a Doctorate in Psychology. When she arrived in the United States she began looking for a teaching position and came to Poplar Bluff in November, 1961 to teach Spanish at Poplar Bluff High school. She was a beloved teacher, friend and confident to thousands of high school students for over twenty-five years until her retirement, in 1986. She was naturalized as a US citizen on the 4th day of November, 1975.

Marta was active at Sacred Heart Catholic Church since joining her parish family immediately upon moving to Poplar Bluff, in 1961. She was a member of St. Ann's Altar Society, the Monday Study Club and the Poplar Bluff Chapter of Missouri Retired Teacher's Association.

She is survived by three cousins, Gloria Bordenave, of Miami, Florida, Gabriel Moralez and Delia Ravelo, of Venezuela, her many students that she was so proud to call ""family"", and two very special friends who provided so much love and care to a friend in need, Jim and Dinora Santoro.

Visitation will be from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. today, July 17 with Parish Prayers at 7:00 p.m. The Mass of Christian Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 18, 2007, officiated by Father Kyle Hill. Burial will be at Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, in Poplar Bluff.

Memorials may be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery Fund or to the charity of your choice.