Gladys Torres

Gladys Torres, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully on January 29, 2026, at Connecticut Hospice in Branford, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was born on November 9, 1955, in New York, to her loving parents Marcos and Anna Cartagena.

Gladys was the youngest of 13 children and grew up in Spanish Harlem, New York with many of her siblings who helped raise her along with her parents. Sadly there are five siblings she never knew. She was preceded in death by her parents: Marcos and Anna Cartagena, her siblings: Marcos Antonio Cartagena, Juan Rivera, Damasco Asensio, Louisa Cintron, Ramonita Cartagena and Jose Cartagena. Her early life was marked by dedication to her family, love for paddle ball, hand ball and her education. She graduated from Franklin Irving High School and began working as a dental assistant soon after.

On August 3, 1979, Gladys married her loving husband, Francisco Torres Jr. marking the beginning of a beautiful relationship of 52 years with a marriage of 46 years. Together, they would bring two beautiful children into the the world Jessica (1978) & Jason (1985). Her family brought her immense joy and happiness.

After initally working for a dental office she pursued a career as an Administrative Executive Assistant in New York City. Throughout her career, Gladys exhibited an unwavering commitment and passion to her work. She attended many training sessions and obtained many certifications which allowed her to enhance her job skills and further her career success. She worked and embraced her profession for over 40 years and had the opportunity to work with a variety of esteemed organizations including Philip Morris, Avon, corporate offices, law offices and hospital administration. In 2003, she moved to Connecticut with her family, where she continued her professional journey with various companies including Medtronics, the Regional Water Authority, and Bristol Myers Squibb.

Gladys was not only dedicated to her career and family but was also active in her community. She was a member of the Soundview YMCA, In-Shape, Exhilarate Fitness Studio and St. John Bosco Parish. Her passion for fitness, her love for helping others, and her faith were evident in her daily life. As many know Gladys loved and lived life to the fullest. She enjoyed music, dancing, the beach & most of all spending time with her husband, children & grandchildren. She attended all her grandkids events including baseball, basketball & football games with my father by her side. Although the last year was a struggle she tried her best to make it to as many of their college games as she could but when that became too difficult we got her a subscription to stream Kamryn & BJ's games at home. Gladys was the light of any event & always found her way to the dance floor. She was a beautiful person with a loving soul and brightened any room she walked into with her infectious smile. Her final year was filled with lots of appointments, treatments, procedures as well as the side effects of all these things. Despite it all her faith was strong & she hoped to one day be free of her cancer so she could go back to doing all the things she loved. Graciously God knew that he had to bring her home for her to truly be free. As sad as we are to no longer have her physically with us, we are at peace that her suffering is no longer. She is flying free with some of the best company in heaven. I know she's watching over us, with her apple martini, dancing on a beach pain free. She was thankful to have spent her final weeks with her family, friends & many visitors. It gave her an opportunity to say her good- byes & she cherished every moment even when all the meds made her sleepy but also a little comical. We are going to miss her so much but with our faith I know we will get through this.

Gladys is survived by her devoted husband Frank, her dedicated daughter Jessica Holmes, supportive son-in-law Scott Holmes, her loving son Jason A. Torres, beloved brother Loius Cartagena and her sister-in-!aw Nereida who she considered one of her best friends. She was also a proud grandmother to Kamryn S. Holmes, Brennan J. Holmes, Jason A. Torres Jr, Jaylene A. Torres, and Jasper A. Torres, who were the light of her life. She also had a step daughter (Francine Torres) as well as three step grandchildren who she lovingly accepted into her life: Jasmyn, Marcus & Nikolas Polite. She leaves behind a host of nieces, nephews, family, friends and a sisterhood of close girlfriends who will all miss her immensely.

Arrangements for Gladys have been entrusted to W.S. Clancy Memorial Funeral Home, 244 North Main Street, Branford and the viewing will take place on Thursday February 5, 2026 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday February 6, 2026 at St. John Bosco Parish in St. Mary Church, 731 Main Street, Branford at 10 am. Friends and family are invited to join in honoring her memory and the lasting impact she made on so many lives.

Flowers are welcome but donations to Smilow Cancer Hospital and Connecticut Hospice can be made in lieu of flowers as these organizations provided Gladys with incredible care throughout her battle with cancer. The family wishes to extend their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses, PCA's/CNA's, doctors, APRN's, and PA's at Smilow Cancer Hospital and Connecticut Hospice for their compassionate care during this difficult time. As well as all her family, friends and those who took time to visit, call, text & send prayers. Please know that she read every message and although she may not have responded to them she truly appreciated the love. She was overwhelmed by the amount of support from everyone and when she was able to she expressed those heartfelt feelings. Lastly, I want to thank my father Frank (a.k.a Kito) for his endless dedication & love to my mother. In this final year he was her 24 hour caregiver, her rock the one who took care of all her medications, IV nutrition, IV fluids & so much more. I know he was overwhelmed & we tried to alleviate some of the things as we could. But he understood the assignment when he made those vows 46 years ago "In sickness & in health". He stood by her side through it all and we will be eternally grateful to him as I know she was.

Gladys Torres will be remembered for her unwavering strength, here faith, her kind heart, and her dedication to her family and friends. She will forever live on in the memories of all who were fortunate to know and love her. May she rest in eternal peace.