Christine Ann Torres

Please direct all donations to the following organizations: The American Heart Association and/or Alzheimer's San Diego

Christine Ann Torres joined our Heavenly Father on December 20, 2025, at the age of 72. Chris was born at the Naval Hospital in San Diego to Alejandro and Mary Paz Navarro. She grew up in Linda Vista and was the second of four children. She attended Holy Family Catholic School, then Cathedral Catholic High School, an all-girls school at the time, and her senior year was the first co-ed class of University High School. She received an Associate’s Degree in Secretarial Science from Mesa College.

Chris met Mickey Torres, the love of her life, through her brother Alex. Their story is one of eternal love, and she was hooked when they first met in 1971, telling her co-workers she was going to marry him. After Mickey’s Army service, they dated and married in 1977, with a celebration of more than 1,000 people present at their wedding (no, this is not a fabrication), her dad was a popular guy!

As a young girl, Chris had dreams of having quintuplets, and while she didn’t have them all at once, she did have her five children, Angela, Teresa, Jaclyn, Michael, and Allissa. Together, Mickey and Chris created the Torres Family, centered on the foundation of faith, love, and family. For almost 49 years, their house has been filled with the rustle and bustle of joy, love, and laughter. With their growing family of kids and grandkids, they created family traditions from Christmas decorations galore, watching movies like Miracle on 34th Street, annual Easter egg hunts and Easter Egg Drops, holiday decor with coordinating tablecloths, and family breakfasts with mom’s special omelettes. She loved watching the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and kicking along with the Rockettes and her children and grandchildren in the living room. This year, she even showed her kicks from her hospital room. She loved watching her kids and grandkids perform on the fireplace, lip sync, giggle and play. As a mom, she was the epitome of unconditional love. She brought her magical touch to birthdays and special occasions with favorite meals, personalized desserts, themed decor from the banners to the plates, New Years Eve glasses and so much more. Chris showed her creativity with the customized invitations she made on her computer, holiday cards, a photo collage poster, and even the special gifts she bought for her kids and grandkids. She mailed gifts for those who lived far away, and she would buy games she thought her kids and grandkids would like to play with her (karaoke, BINGO, UNO). As a mom, she was proud of all their accomplishments, was there when any of them were sick (even if that meant traveling to someone), and would be a shoulder to cry on. She made each kid and grandkid feel special and when one of her kids would ask her who her favorite was, she would always say, “I don’t have a favorite. I love you all the same.” Her heart was filled with so much love and there was always more to give.

Chris enjoyed her work as a secretary. She started working for San Diego Federal Bank where she became a Secretary and Junior Officer. She then decided to stay home as they started their family. Later, she worked for Gen-Probe/Hologic, where she enjoyed being there for 15 years before she retired. At work, Chris was known for her organization and creativity along with her kindness.

Chris came from a large Mexican American family. She had a special relationship with her sister, Rosemary Navarro. Chris and Rosie would tease each other, create businesses, plan parties, and laugh together. Both of her parents were from Tucson, Arizona. She has a lot of loving aunts, uncles, and cousins, and to them Chris had the nickname of Tina. Whether the Torres family was visiting Tucson or family from Tucson was visiting San Diego, she enjoyed the family parties, catching up, meeting new nieces and nephews, mariachi music and, of course, margaritas with her primos. One of her best friends growing up was her cousin, Patsy Navarro. Her cousin Bernadette Altamirano was one of her closest comadres and the Altamirano and Torres families spent countless time and holidays together.

Chris and Mickey were seen by all as the example of a strong loving relationship, family values, and a strong faith – definite life goals for everyone. Thus, they are the chosen godparents to many. Chris’ godchildren are their niece Marci Navarro Jones, nephew AJ Altamirano, nephew Gregory Navarro, nephew Manuel Fuentes Jr., and nephew Patrick Navarro. They also officiated two weddings, making the days extra special for niece Marci and Roque Jones, and her sister Rosemary and Steve Lechtanski.

In retirement, Chris enjoyed traveling with Mickey. They bought their RV and traveled around the country for the past seven years of her life. In her traveling element, she was energized and enjoyed seeing the trees, rivers, beaches, mountains, and wildlife with her hubby. Everywhere they went, she loved shopping to bring back presents and take photos and videos for her kids and grandkids. Their adventures took them to Yellowstone, Bryce Canyon, Zion, Monument Valley, and up the West Coast. They camped and traveled with both family and friends. Road trips were planned with precision, and she couldn’t wait to return home to their welcome home party. Chris and Mickey also enjoyed taking the RV to local spots, especially the beach. They were overjoyed when the grandkids could join them to swim and to make s’mores. Chris would be prepared with games for all to enjoy, as she got so much joy in seeing her grandkids have fun.

Chris was kind, quiet, humble, free of conflict, selfless, and had a corny sense of humor. She led Girl Scout troops, was the carpool of choice, and the mom who always had egg burritos and snacks for road trips. She will be remembered for her smile, her laughter, her cheesy jokes, especially on April Fool’s Day, her bright colors and sparkly nails, and all of the ways she showed her love. She enjoyed activities like softball, tennis, and even indoor soccer as a young adult. Chris loved dancing and later enjoyed Hallmark movies, even if she left Mickey to watch it while she fell asleep five minutes in. She welcomed anyone into their home, from family, friends of friends, and even pets. She claimed she wasn’t a pet person, and yet all pets, from birds to dogs, came near her and she always was thinking about them too.

Chris is survived by Mickey Torres, her loving husband of almost 49 years, children Angela Torres, Teresa Torres Sanchez, Jaclyn and John Guerrero, Michael Torres, and Allissa Torres, and her grandchildren Naya Torres-Sanchez, Jessalyn Sanchez, Adrian Sanchez, Isabella Torres, Gabriella Torres, and Daniella Torres, her mom Mary Navarro, sister Rosemary Navarro, and brothers, Alex Navarro (Josephine) and Jaime Navarro (Tracy). She is preceded in death by her dad, Alejandro C. Navarro (2004), brother-in-law Manuel Fuentes (2009), brother-in-law Steve Lechtanski (2012), mother-in-law Celia Quiroz Torres (2013), nephew Ernie Flores (2016), and niece June SiFuentes (2025). Chris was the best Wife, Mom, Grandma, Nana, Sister, Daughter, Auntie, Cousin, and friend. Her heart gave unconditional and endless love and a lifetime of memories and special moments.