Barbara A. de la Torre
Barbara A. de la Torre, 79, of Bourbon, Missouri, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 25, 2022 at her home, surrounded by her family.
Barbara Ann de la Torre was born at Mercy Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, on July 1, 1942, to Joseph and Marion (Conway) Nebel. She grew up and attended school in Chicago, graduating from St. Thomas Catholic high school. Barb then furthered her education at St. Louis University, where she obtained her Bachelors of Science in Nursing in 1964.
Barb was united in marriage to her beloved husband, John “Jack” de la Torre, on June 12, 1965. Together they were blessed with two sons, John and Martin. They began raising their family in the St. Louis area while Barb was employed as a nurse at Incarnate Word Hospital. Barb was especially proud of the time she delivered three babies on Christmas Day with no doctors on staff.
In 1972, Barbara and her husband Jack relocated their young family to their farm in Bourbon, where they made their final home. Barb went to work as the on-staff nurse for the Meramec Mines until the mines closure in 1978. She then went to work for the St. James Veterans Home for a period of time before becoming the Director of Nursing at Sullivan Life Care Center in 1982. Barbara was a major mentor and friend to so many nurses and patients there. She loved and cared for residents at Life Care Center for over 26 years before retiring in 2008. The newly renovated dining hall at Life Care Center was dedicated and named “de la Torre Dining Hall” in Barb’s honor and was presented to her at her retirement party.
Barb’s care and devotion didn’t end after her retirement. Up until recent months, she continued serving as a patient advocate for many care center residents who had no remaining family members. Barb also served the Sullivan community in the Business and Professional Women’s’ club for over 35 years, serving as the president ten times. Barb was a part of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Club, book club, garden club, and the St. Anthony Catholic Church’s choir. In her retirement years, she enjoyed spending time traveling with her sister, Mary Alice, and brother, Bill, and spending time outside reading while looking over her pond. She always said it was like having her own park.
Out of all things in her life, she cherished every moment she got to spend with her grandchildren and great–grandchildren. You could always find Barb supporting them at any sporting event or function that they were involved in.
Barb was a devout, strong, and faithful Catholic. Through her life, she was a member of the St. Francis Catholic Church and St. Anthony Catholic Church for the past 20 years. She will be so dearly missed and lovingly remembered by all who were fortunate enough to know her.
Barb is survived by her two sons, John de la Torre and wife Wren of Bourbon, MO and Martin de la Torre and wife Kelly of Bourbon, MO; eight grandchildren: Jaqueline de la Torre, Justin de la Torre, Michael de la Torre and wife Danielle, John de la Torre and wife Kaylee, Megan McDonald and husband Drew, Katie Johnson and husband Adam, Kylie Elliott, & Mikey Elliott and wife Alyssa; five great–grandchildren: Jack, Millie, Jett, Brooks, and Paisely; a brother, Bill Nebel of Chicago, IL; a sister, Mary Alice Roache of Chicago, IL; a sister-in-law, Dr. Michelle de la Torre of Sullivan, MO; special friend, Cindy Peters; other relatives and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; and her parents, Joseph and Marion.
Funeral Mass was celebrated 10 a.m., Friday, April 29, 2022 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, with Father Paul Telken officiating. Interment followed in St. Anthony Cemetery.
Visitation was 4 – 8 p.m., Thursday, April 28, 2022 at the Eaton Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be shared with Barb’s family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com.
All arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.