Melissa A. Torres

Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, wife, aunt, cousin, friend and mentor will be forever missed. Melissa was born on July 26, 1949 in Spokane, WA to Maureen M. McCanna and Charles J. Moran. She spent her childhood years in Spokane, WA. In the 1960s the Moran family headed to San Gabriel, CA where they established themselves within the San Gabriel Mission parish and local community. In 1967 Melissa graduated San Gabriel Mission High School and subsequently completed Queen of Angels School of Nursing in Los Angeles. Melissa and her lifelong best friend, Mary Garcia, back packed for a year throughout numerous countries in Europe, Asia and the Middle East working as travel nurses to support their excursion. Upon her return to Southern California, she worked as a RN for multiple LA County hospitals before settling at San Pedro Peninsula Hospital to carry out her passion of helping others to heal. Melissa married Michael L. Torres and gave birth to Nicole, Matthew and Mark. Melissa and Michael raised their children in Wilmington, CA. She was a devout parishioner of Holy Family, Mary Star of the Sea and St. Lawrence Martyr Catholic parishes. In addition to placing her faith first, she dedicated her life to family, friends and public service. She worked as an RN for 47 years until eventually retiring from San Pedro Peninsula Hospital specializing in emergency room, outpatient recovery and gastrointestinal nursing duties. Her relentless efforts aided in the early process of establishing workplace union representation at the turn of the century. She received numerous awards from SPPH but was particularly honored to receive her service award in recognition for her many excellent years as a registered nurse. Melissa strived to attend every family event especially those involving her much loved grandchildren. Melissa loved to dance and hum to music at celebratory events. She inspires all to be kind, thoughtful, caring, loving and dependable. She was loved by her family for her grace, humility and compassion.

Melissa is survived by her brothers Michael (Stacy) Moran and Matthew (Alonda) Moran; her sisters Molly (Jon) Harding and Mary (Ralph) Ramirez; her children Nicole, Matthew (Stacey) and Mark (Shawny); her stepchildren Francine Torres Hackerott and Jennifer (Jeff) Stevanus; her sixteen grandchildren Victoria, Alexandria, Gabriella, Isabella and Noah Lopez, Alissa Torres and Anthoniey Rodriguez, Lola, Ayla, Koda, Kaia Torres and Tate Lopez, Zachary and Everest Hackerott, and Matthew and Emily Stevanus. She was preceded in death by her parents, Maureen M. and Charles J. Moran and her brother Mark Moran. Our matriarch was greatly loved and will be truly missed.

Vigil services will be Thursday, January 4, 2018 at 7:00 pm at Green Hills Memorial Park Chapel, 27501 S Western Ave, Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275 with visitation beginning at 6pm. Funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, January 5, 2018 at 1:00 pm at St. Lawrence Martyr Church, 1900 S Prospect Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277. Interment will be at Green Hills Memorial Park.