Passed gently into Heaven on Thursday March 7, 2013.
Connie was born to Restituto and Primitiva F. Torres on November 16, 1916 in Makato, Aklan, Philippines. She was the last survivor and the fourth of nine children.
She was married to her true love, Joe P. Fuentes in 1945 when he returned to the Philippines after WWll. She arrived in the United States as a first class war bride on the United States Army Transport vessel, provided by the government on October 26, 1946. Over the course of her life she sponsored many family members to relocate to the United States and supported them as they fulfilled their American dreams.
Connie had two beautiful daughters; Patria Fuentes Van Tassel and Jonnie Fuentes Oden. Four very loved unofficial “sons”; Scheron, Steven, Spin, and Sammy. Four grandchildren; Tria Concepcion, Edward Kyle, Ginnie Pearl (grandson -in -law Randy), and Krystle Jonnie. Five great grandchildren, Ceano, Cearra, Isaiah, Talya, and Elijah who affectionately called her “GG” and many nieces and nephews that She held extremely close to her heart. So many relatives not mentioned here meant so much to her. She never forgot anyone and held us all together like a beautiful quilt. She always prided our family in our love and devotion to each other, this is something we learned from her, and will carry on as we carry her always in our hearts.
Throughout her 96 years of life she was surrounded by family and friends from all over the world.
She was the first lady of the founder of the Filipino Community Association of Santa Barbara, CA in 1951.
Connie lived in the Mojave Desert and Palm Springs before she settled into Santa Barbara in 1947. She owed a beautiful property on Bath Street before her family established the residence in the Samarkand area in 1969 and this is where she spent the rest of her amazing life.
Connie joins her beloved husband Joe, and daughter Jonnie and survived by her daughter Patria with her children, grandchildren, and a multitude of family and friends.
We would like to extend a gracious THANK YOU to all of our family and friends who came to wish my grandmother a heartfelt farewell and to those that were unable to visit before her passing for keeping her in their thoughts and prayers. May God always keep you in his heart and my grandmother always watch over you from Heaven. A special thank you to her niece Esther and God daughter Rose for their never ending compassion and love.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday March 16, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at San Roque Parish, 325 Argonne Circle Santa Barbara, CA 93105
Rosary services and viewing will be held Friday March 15, 2013 at McDermott-Crockett Mortuary, 2020 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara, CA 93105. Viewing begins at 4:30 followed by the rosary at 6:00 p.m.
“I will not forget you, For I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands.(ISAIAH 49:15-16)”
