Torrez, Charlotte (Diaz)

Charlotte (Diaz) Torrez, 86, of Sun City West, Ariz., formerly of Mercer Island, Wash., and Cedar Rapids, died April 21, 2011. Burial: Gethsemane Cemetery, Federal Way, Wash.

Survivors include her husband, Narciso Torrez; children, Martha (Al) Ruffalo, Deanna (Jim) Brems, Polly (Tom) Campbell, Sue Diaz and Linda (Rick) Ranch; sister, Erma (Alex) Yanez; grandchildren, Heidi (Matt) Dean, Ryan (Carla) Brems, Joe Brems, Paul (Hillary) Ruffalo, Mike (Vicki) Brems, Carissa Campbell, Tony Campbell, Erin Ranch and Riley Ranch; and great-grandchildren, Frank Serio-Brems, Charlotte Dean, A.J. Brems, Jared Dean, Jaxon Brems, Sophia Brems, Oliver Ruffalo, Emersyn Ruffalo, Lucas Brems and Cooper Brems.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Apolinar P. Diaz.

Charlotte was born in Tempe, Ariz., on April 25, 1924. She married Apolinar Diaz on Sept. 9, 1946. They moved to Iowa in 1950 and raised their five daughters. In 1976, Charlotte, Apolinar and the three younger daughters moved to Mercer Island, Wash. After Apolinar passed away in 1993, Charlotte married Narciso Torrez and relocated to Arizona.

Charlotte's first love was her family. She loved spending time with her daughters and their families.

Charlotte was an avid gardener and took much pride in her flowers.

She was a much loved wife, mother and grandmother. We were blessed to have her.