Noelia Torres, our beloved matriarch of Paterson, New Jersey, peacefully returned home to her new life on May 16, 2026, at the age of 82.
Noelia was born on January 3, 1944, in the beautiful island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, to Leonci Tollentino. As a child, she came to New York, where she grew up and attended the iconic Washington Irving All-Girls High School, Union Square, graduating with the proud class of 1961.
In the mid-1960s, Noelia moved to Paterson with the love of her life and husband, Eladio. They first resided in the historic Alabama Projects before purchasing their beloved home on River Street, where she filled the rooms with love, laughter, and memories until her very last day.
For over two decades, from the late 1960s until her retirement in 1991, Noelia was a familiar and beloved face at Foodtown. There, she was legendary—excelled as a lightning-fast cashier whose hands moved quicker than the eye could follow, and revered as a master couponer who knew how to stretch a dollar into a miracle.
Noelia lived life with vibrant passion yet simple. She was a die-hard, fierce fan of the New York Yankees, and whenever a New York team made the postseason, her voice was the loudest cheering them on. Her hands were rarely still; she possessed a truly supernatural green thumb, transforming her garden into a breathtaking sanctuary dominated by her absolute favorites—magnificent, prize-worthy roses. Inside the home, she was a champion of cleanliness, keeping her house so spotlessly immaculate that it practically sparkled.
To step into Noelia’s kitchen was to experience heaven on earth. She could cook a mean, world-class plate of traditional Rice & Beans, alongside an array of authentic Puerto Rican dishes that comforted the soul and brought the family running to the table. She also possessed a legendary streak of luck, frequently playing the Pick-It lottery—and true to her deeply generous spirit, she would selflessly split the winnings with her children every single time she hit. Noelia found beauty in the warm and elegant things in life, always surrounding herself with her favorite earth tones of brown, bronze, and beige.
Noelia was predeceased by her loving mother Leonci Tollentino, her stepfather Charlie Pacheco, and her brother Charlie Rodriguez.
She leaves behind a beautiful, enduring legacy. She is survived by her devoted husband of 66 wonderful years, Eladio Torres. She was the cherished mother of her son John E. Torres and his wife Milagros, her son Shabazz “Eddie” Torres and his wife Marlana, and her daughter Nilsa “Loli” Copello.
She is also survived by her six treasures—her grandchildren: Xavier “Sito” Alvarez, Anjelica “Doby” Copello, Lorenzo “Bunny” Copello, Gianna Torres, Elijah “Goldie” Torres, and Jaxon “Yayo” Torres. Noelia and her husband shared a beautiful, time-honored tradition of bestowing unique nicknames upon each of their grandchildren as a profound gesture of affection and a celebration of their unique individuality. She also leaves behind a host of extended family, neighbors, and friends who will miss her deeply.