Ana Rosa Torres

Ana Rosa Torres, 61, of Youngtown, Arizona, passed away on November 14, 2024. Born in Houston, Texas, on January 23, 1963.

Ana was a graduate of Stephen F. Austin High School. After graduation, she moved to New York City, where she made her home and began her career in the Latin music industry. Her work took her across the United States, as well as to Mexico, Central, and South America, where she worked closely with Latin music promoters. Ana helped bring numerous Latin entertainers to the U.S. for tours, ranging from small venues to the iconic Madison Square Garden for New York’s yearly Salsa Festival. Ana was deeply involved in facilitating the logistics, including assisting artists with work visas. Ana's career was demanding and often required extensive travel, but she always made time to return to Houston to visit family.

A pivotal moment in Ana's life occurred on September 11, 2001. She was scheduled to pick up important government documents in New York’s Financial District when the Twin Towers were attacked. For several days, her family anxiously awaited word of her safety, unable to reach her due to communication disruptions in New York. Eventually, Ana was able to reassure them that she was safe, having gone a day earlier than planned to retrieve the documents, which spared her from harm.

In the years that followed, Ana moved to Arizona, where she fulfilled a vendor contract with the Arizona Cardinals during spring training. She made Arizona her home, working with local organizations and utilizing her bilingual skills in both English and Spanish. Ana also pursued her passion for cooking and baking, later becoming self-employed in these areas, sharing her talents with many.

Later in life, Ana faced significant health challenges, including cancer and a stroke, which resulted in paralysis. Despite these obstacles, she remained determined and continued to live a fulfilling life, remaining active in her passions and finding joy in the company of her loved ones.

Ana was also a devoted animal lover. She had a special bond with Calle, a Chihuahua mix that wandered up to her from the street one day. Ana took Calle in and cared for him with love, and the two became inseparable. Calle accompanied Ana to medical appointments, where the staff grew fond of him. He also enjoyed grocery store outings and any travels Ana had planned. Calle remained by her side until the end. In a touching gesture, one of Ana's doctors, who had grown fond of Calle, adopted him after her passing, giving him a loving home.

Ana was preceded in death by her father: Juan Torres, her mother, Dominga Wingate; her stepfather: Benjamin Wingate, sister: Clementina Torres, her maternal grandparents: Manuel and Guadalupe Alvarado, her paternal grandparents: Juan and Sotera Torres, aunts and uncles: Genaro Torres, Elena Torres Villegas, Eulalia and Martin Salinas, Mike Alvarado, Lorenzo Alvarado, Steve Rodriguez, Judge Armando Rodriguez (ret), cousins: Wallace Rodriguez, Michael Alvarado, Juan Torres Villegas, Genaro Torres Villegas.

She is survived by her sisters: Maria Martinez (Alfred) and Gloria Rodriguez (Ascension), nieces: Maria Salazar (Manuel), Lili Juárez (Miguel), Jeston, Madlyn, and Grace Rodriguez, nephew: Manuel Torres, great-nephews: Marc Cabrera, Manuel Salazar (Jade), great-nieces: Eden Zabala, Lili and Verónica Juárez and great-great-niece: Amelia, great-great nephew: Ashton. 

Ana is also survived by her aunts: Bertha Rodriguez, Rita Rodriguez, Lucy Lomeli, Marcela Alvarado and numerous cousins including Arturo, Antonia, Jesus, Gaspar, Eulalia, Michelle, Roland, Steven, Carlos, Andy, Angela, Larry, Nikki, Lorena, Manuel, Bryan, Eric and their growing families. She is also fondly remembered by many friends in Houston, New York, Arizona, Mexico, and Latin America.

Many expressions of gratitude to Mike for his friendship and support to Ana and to all who cared for her in her health journey.  

Ana’s memory will live on in the hearts of those who loved her. Her strength, kindness, and zest for life will never be forgotten.

Services have been entrusted to South Houston Funeral Home and private arrangements will be held to honor Ana's memory.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making monetary donations to American Cancer Society, American Diabetes Association or American Stroke Association.