Carmen Torres

Article & Photos Submitted by Zusette Dato

Carmen Torres

AVENEL – Carmen Torres was born on October 13, 1919 in the small coffee farming village of Yahuecas, a municipality of Adjuntas, Puerto Rico. She was one of seven children of Joaquin and Josefa Torres.  Patron Torres was a coffee farmer high in the mountains. After a successful public-school education, Carmen decided to follow her oldest sister who had emigrated to the United States mainland to work in the wartime industries.  In 1941, with the ever-present threat of German U Boats, Carmen and Conchita took a steamship from Puerto Rico up the Atlantic coast to the port of New York. She settled with her sisters in Linden.

Once in Linden, she utilized her sewing skills to provide work to the likes of Kate Smith., and later went to work for Singer Sewing Machine Company in Elizabeth Port.  While working at Singer, she met Peter Morphy, who would become her husband in 1947. 

Carmen and Peter moved to Avenel later that year, and began their family, raising two daughters: Zusette and Nelle.  They remained residents of Avenel. Carmen was an accomplished cook and baker, hosting large family gatherings. She continued her sewing, making many outfits for herself and her daughters.  She also crocheted as a hobby, making many very fine tablecloths for family and friends. She continued to crochet well into her 90s, most recently making fine scarves for fellow residents of Roosevelt Care Center.

Carmen worked for Regina in Rahway for many years, and upon her retirement she volunteered with the Veterans of Foreign Wars Ladies Auxiliary and traveled extensively with Peter, including to Hawaii, Alaska, Florida, and to France for D-Day Memorial celebrations in honor of her husband Peter’s service. 

Carmen has two grandsons, Christopher and Craig Casale, and three great grandchildren, Blaise, Caiden and Olivia who bring her much joy. She is a current resident of Roosevelt Care Center, where she enjoys outings and many patient activities.

Carmen Torres