OBITUARY Lucrecia Torres January 24, 1952 – October 3, 2018 Lucrecia Torres, 66 Teacher, healer, author, beloved mother and devoted grandmother Lucrecia Torres, 66, of Sunset Hill, died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, after a long illness, surrounded by her family. Born Jan.
24, 1952, in Juana Diaz, Puerto Rico, Lucrecia moved to New York City as a child. The eldest of nine, she distinguished herself as a loving caretaker to her younger siblings. Legally blind since birth, Lucrecia overcame her disability and numerous challenges, which led her on a path to help others.
She was a graduate of Adelphi University, where she met her ex-husband, Michael J. Murphy of Todt Hill. The couple married in 1974, settling in West Brighton. They had two children, Michael Francis Murphy and Natalie Murphy-Baranello.
A bilingual special education teacher of children from preschool age through high school, Lucrecia taught in public school systems in New York City, Virginia Beach, Va. , and Boston, Mass. , during her career, devoting herself to the disabled.
She retired four years ago from Osgood Head Start Early Learning Center, Stapleton. She continued to do volunteer work at the Jewish Community Center in her retirement. “Her lack of outer sight gave her an intense inner sight, which launched her spiritual journey,” said her daughter, Natalie.
Also known by her spiritual name, Tara Atma, she was a holistic healer, a traditional Reiki Master, and a mystic storyteller. She earned a Ph.D. from Summit University of Louisiana, in the field of Transpersonal Therapy and Holistic Health. She was the creator of various holistic methods, including the Rumi Method and the Sands of Time Realignment Method.
She studied Tarot, practiced meditation, and was a life coach. A published author, she wrote “Yes, I Am Albino,” published in 2005, where she wrote about her personal journey with Albinism. She was an ordained priestess in the Melcitzedek Order and embarked on numerous journeys to holy sites throughout the world.
An avid world traveler, she visited India, Egypt, Israel, Germany, England, Bermuda and Hawaii. Lucrecia was a doting grandmother to her two grandsons, Francis and Gabriel Baranello, whom she called “the light of her life”. Always embracing the arts, Lucrecia enjoyed crafting and sewing as she regularly made handmade gifts for her family, music, and preparing traditional Puerto Rican dishes on special occasions.
She will be deeply missed. Visitation is today, Friday, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Funeral will be Saturday at 10 a.m. at Harmon Funeral Home. Harmon Funeral Home 571 Forest Ave.
Staten Island, N.Y. 10310 (718) 442-5056 Published in Staten Island Advance on Oct.
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