Carmen Nancy Torres

Carmen Torres April 17,1940- September 5, 2021, Kingston, NY. A loving, devoted wife, mother, sister, aunt, daughter, grandmother, and friend 81 years young, Carmen Nancy Torres, lived in Kingston and went to her heavenly home on September 5, 2021. Carmen was born April 17, 1940, in Bronx, New York. She married Luis Torres of the Orocovis, Puerto Rico.

She worked for the Light House restaurant that her parents owned in the Bronx. She moved to Plattekill in 1969, where she and her husband owned Mid-Valley Cleaners. While owning her business, she worked at Stewart airport for Delta airline, Delta cargo, Hertz rent-a-car, and thruway hot shops.

A former resident of 34 years in the Town of Plattekill, she moved to Kingston in 2004. Carmen's hobbies were cooking for everyone who walked through the door, teaching her grandson Gabriel Spanish, crossword puzzles, playing find the objects, game nights on Wednesday, walking the dogs, reading, and enjoying her family.
She loved dancing, family functions, and supporting her children, grandchildren in their activities such as swimming, basketball, baseball/softball, plays/concerts, etc. She helped run the Plattekill Recreation Program in the late 70′s. Did volunteer work for the Migrant Health Program, she was an AIDS Walk Fundraising Volunteer in Central Park. Active in the local politics of Plattekill, Started the Huckleberry Block Association (HBA). She had a special love for family and friends all around and was never shy to give a helping hand.

Carmen is survived by her children: son, Ralph Calderon, and wife, Teresa; daughters: Nancy A. Torres, and Samantha L. Kelly; grandchildren: Asia Santiago, Adena Santiago, Arcadia Labounty-Lewis, Emil Calderon, Victoria Calderon, Gabriel Calderon, Joshua Kelly, Sabrina Kelly, Cassandra Kelly, Monica Reyes, Elizabeth Smith, Alexandra Smith; great-grandchildren: Tianie Santiago, Celia Lewis, Carmae Johnson, Brandon Calderon, Vivian Calderon, Jayson Brodhead-Reyes, Lennox Reimuth, Juaquin Perry, Micah Santiago, Sydney Santiago, and Sophia Santiago; great great-grandkids: Isaiah Muldrow, Marcellus Soto, Ezra DuBois, siblings: Lousito Diaz, David Diaz, Dora Orris, Hilda Sambolin, Anthony Diaz; many nephews, nieces, cousins, aunts, uncles, in-laws; Friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Luis Diaz and Manuela Diaz; siblings; Margie Hernandez, Henry Diaz, MaryLou Rodriguez; son, Luis Torres Jr.; daughter, Rosemarie Torres; grandson, Ralph Santiago.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Keep Punching for brain cancer foundation in Memory of Carmen Torres.

Messages from Family:
From son, Ralph: "I will miss getting you an egg cream soda from the coffee shop; dad will get it for you while you're in heaven."

From daughter, Nancy: "Mom, there aren't enough words to express how much you mean to me or to let you know just how much I love you; you were the best. You have helped me make it through things I never thought I would; I love you, mom. I'm so glad I was here for you, and I will cherish your last breath and the words you said to me. I'm so lucky to have such a great mother. You guided me, you supported me, you held me up when I'm down, but most of all, you loved me just the way I am. I always say I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for a mother like you. You blessed me every day; thank you for giving me life. You have shown us so much love and kindness each day with your warm smile, good food, and all your jokes. There is no greater love than a mother's love. Thank you for being the best mom a daughter could ask for."

From granddaughter Monica: "Grandma, I will miss you every day I'm alive, but I will cherish the days that I had with you, such as: Going to get you a jelly donut from Dunkin', a cheese danish from Deising's, chili from Wendy's or picking up your Chinese food from where you wanted it. I'll miss our car dates and talking to you every day after getting home from work or school. I'm so happy Jayson had the opportunity to meet such a wonderful person and be loved by you. You're now with the people who you missed the most; say hi to them for me. Caio bacalao!"

From granddaughter Victoria: "You're my favorite cook and the best listener; you always knew how to bring a smile to my face, and you supported me throughout everything. Thank you for always thinking of me and making sure I had a birthday card sent every year. Thank you for always bringing me lunch every day of my senior year and making sure I ate. Most importantly, thank you for creating this family and always bringing us together. I love you always."

From grandson, Gabriel: "I appreciate you so much, grandma, and everything you have done for me. But it is the little things that I will hold onto forever. I'm thankful for the 2am calls every night, just for you to hear me mimic Spanish soap operas. You'd never accept that I just wasn't hungry whenever I walked through the door. Grandma, I love you, and you were indeed a person that helped shape who I am today, and for that, I will forever be grateful."

From granddaughter, Arcadia: "Hey grandma, you always gave the best advice; I hope I'll remember it all. I will strive to be as fun as Carmacella, as honest as you always were, and humble as you taught me to be. You will be missed, for the world has lost a rare person. Ciao Bacalao!!!"

From grandson Emil: "Grandma to me, you will always be loved, always missed, and irreplaceable."

From granddaughter in law, Adena: "Carmen Torres, our lives are fuller for having known you. You were a truly amazing woman with a life filled with love and loss. Even with all the adversity, you had thrown at you, you held your head high and persevered. Thank you for all the love, the talks, and the wonderful meals. Rest easy. We will miss you, but when we think of you, we will find joy and comfort knowing you are reunited with all those who paved the way for you. We love you. Adena, Micah, Sydney, and Sophia Santiago."