Flora De La Torre

August 11, 1925 – August 16, 2021

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Flora De La Torre, 96, passed away peacefully of natural causes on the evening of August 16^th, 2021.  She was in the comforting presence of her two daughters when she passed.  Flora is reunited in Heaven with the love of her life, Henry De La Torre, who passed away on December 31^st, 2020.  They are survived by a large and loving family.

Flora was born on August 11^th, 1925 in Miami, Arizona to Joseph Gonsalio Barela and Rosa Garcia Barela.

A lifelong devoted Catholic, Flora was baptized on October 25^th, 1925 at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Miami, Arizona.  She was confirmed on May 3rd, 1926 at the same Church.

Flora experienced a challenging childhood. Her father was an explosives specialist for a construction company.  The family moved from town to town wherever her father was needed.  He was known as “Powder Joe.”  Sadly, Flora was only 11 years old when her father passed away as a result of a vehicular accident.

Although penniless, Flora’s mother was tough as nails and taught Flora and her siblings to be resilient and resourceful; making and selling tamales to make ends meet.

Despite the difficulties, Flora focused on her studies and completed high school.  She followed up her studies at Lamson Business College.  Flora worked as a clerk and typist for the government during World War II.

Flora took great pride in her appearance.  She was quite the fashionista often wearing beautiful dresses and heels, even when times were tough.  When Flora was 24 years old, she caught the attention of a handsome young soldier by the name of Henry De La Torre, who fell in love with not only her beauty and intelligence, but also her incredible sense of humor.

Henry lovingly courted her, and the couple married at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Globe, Arizona on April 15^th, 1950.

Henry utilized his GI Bill benefits to attend and complete barber school in Phoenix, Arizona.  On December 8^th, 1967, Henry’s Barber Shop was born.

For almost 50 years Henry was a barber and Flora was the bookkeeper.  It was a successful business partnership.  Flora was an exceptional accountant, overseeing the spending, profits and savings of the business.  The duo exemplified a true American success story.

But their most coveted pride and joy was being blessed with 6 beautiful children.  Parenting fulfilled Flora with true happiness.  In her own words, when it came to the fortunes brought through motherhood, her cup “runneth over with so much love and joy.”

Flora was a true matriarch and fiercely advocated for fairness and justice.  She was not afraid to speak her mind and voice her opinions.  She did so with grace, dignity and the best of intentions.

Flora was blessed with amazing energy, love for life, and remained culturally hip in her 90’s plugging away on social media.  She kept up with her millennial grandchildren on Facebook.  Nobody was safe from her loving and watchful eyes.

Flora’s strength and tenacious spirit will live on and her memory will always place a smile on the faces of all who love her.

Flora is survived by her children, Juanita De La Torre, Henry De La Torre (wife Rachel), Gilbert De La Torre (wife Patricia), Tina Christen (husband Steve), Fred De La Torre, and William De La Torre.  Flora is the proud grandmother to 9 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren

Services will be provided at the Mountain View Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, Arizona on Monday August 30th, 2021.  A viewing will be held between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm with a Rosary at 6:00 pm.

A Mass will be held on Tuesday August 31^st, 2021 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church, 141 N. McDonald, Mesa, Arizona. The mass is scheduled for 10:00 am.

The burial will follow the mass on the morning of August 31^st.  The burial will be at Mountain View Funeral Home, 7900 E. Main St., Mesa, AZ.

The events are open to the public.