Margaret Rose “Mimi” Tortorice
Margaret Rose Tortorice, known by her loved ones as Mimi, was born on December 30, 1928, to Charles Montalbano and Mary Judene Nelson. As the cherished only child of her parents, Margaret’s life was filled with love and attention from them, her grandparents, numerous aunts, and uncles. She spent her early years in Longview before moving to Beaumont after completing 8th grade in 1942.
Mimi attended St. Anthony’s High School, where she would meet her soon-to-be husband. The tides of fate aligned in 1945 when the young men who were called to war four years earlier returned home. Joseph Vincent Tortorice was one of those veterans that was placed in Mimi’s class. In 1947, at the tender age of 18, Margaret and Joseph exchanged their vows, marking the beginning of a lifelong journey together. They were soon blessed with children with Joey arriving in 1948, followed by Judy in 1950, Pinky in 1953, and Suzanne in 1960. The family continued to grow as grandchildren arrived, totaling an impressive 15 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren, with one more on the way.
Mimi was a faithful member of St. Jude Catholic Church. She instilled that faith in her children who all attended Catholic School. As the family grew, Mimi and Pop blessed their grandchildren with equal parts love and laughter. Summer after summer they hosted fishing expeditions, crab boils, and Easter egg hunts at their beach cabin – known as “the T-Box”.
While their kids were starting their own families, Mimi and Pop began a new life of adventure. They cruised the world – touring the beaches of Normandy and Hawaii with Pop’s brothers-in-arms and meeting long-lost relatives in the Sicilian countryside. Mimi documented these trips in great detail with journals and scrapbooks. When their traveling days came to a close, they built new adventures tending to their cucuzza garden and fishing with their grandchildren at Camp Josey on Pleasure Island.
In her golden years, Mimi spent much of her time in the company of cherished loved ones. Her heartwarming stories, wisdom, and even her humor continued to shine through, reminding everyone of her enduring spirit. Her legacy lives on through the family she built, and the countless memories she leaves with us. She will forever be remembered for her beauty, wit, and unwavering devotion to those she loved. Her family would like to thank her amazing caregivers for helping make Mimi’s final years so happy and pleasant – Celia, Trish, Tina, Marivic, Esper, NetNet and Mylene. Another special thanks to Bonne Vie and their wonderful staff for helping us these last few months.
Mimi is preceded in death by her husband Joe Tortorice Sr. and her son Joe Tortorice Jr. She is survived by her daughters and their husbands Judy and Larry McFarland, Pinky and Bill Carden, and Suzanne and Dave Jones; daughter-in-law Shelley Tortorice; her grandchildren and great grandchildren Jay and Jenny Tortorice, their kids Joseph, Luke and Lainey; Rob and Bonnie Tortorice, their kids Robert, Joey and Mary Margaret; Ashley and Greg Messina, their kids Georgia, Olivia and Maceo; Amy Srader and her daughter Addie; Cody McFarland; Lindsey and Nathan Parish, their kids Landon and Brady; Polly and Garth Hixson, their kids Emma and Charles; Katy and Mark Jefferson and their daughter Rosabelle; Leesa and Jake Shrull; Tre Carden; Julie and Bob Edson and their daughter Poppy; Ross and Larae Jones, their kids Millie and Wiley; Charlie and Elyse Jones, their kids Lennon and Bear; Hunter Jones; and Taylor Jones.
Memorial contributions may be made to Birthright of Beaumont, 2626 Calder Avenue, Suite 201, Beaumont, Texas 77702.
A gathering of Mrs. Tortorice’s family and friends will begin at 4:00 p.m., with her Rosary to be recited at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, August 20, 2023, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, 700 Jefferson Street, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue, Beaumont. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Monday, August 21, 2023, at St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica, Beaumont, with her entombment to follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Beaumont. All are welcome to join the Tortorice family for fellowship in St Anthony Cathedral center following the service.
Video
Gathering of Family and Friends
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
- 700, Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- August 20, 2023
- 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm
Rosary
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
- 700, Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- August 20, 2023
- 6:00 pm
Mass of Christian Burial
St. Anthony Cathedral Basilica
- 700, Jefferson St, Beaumont, TX, 77701,
- August 21, 2023
- 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
Entombment
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- 4955, Pine St, Beaumont, TX, 77703,
- August 21, 2023
Judy, Pinky, Suzanne, Prayers for all of you during the loss of your Mother. Your Mother was beautiful lady inside and out. Prayers for you today and the days to come.
Our sympathy and prayers are with the family on the loss of their Mother.
One beautiful lady that always made me feel like family. The good times in New Orleans shall never forget. She was blessed with many family members that cherished her deeply. My heart goes out to them all cause no words can ease pain for loved one that got their wings and went to be with one’s she had lost. MOG I called her always in my heart. BLESSING TO THE FAMILY.
Mark and I are so honored and blessed to have known Mimi and the lives she changed for good. We are so sorry for your loss and are holding your family close in our thoughts and prayers that you may find peace and comfort in this time of deepest sorrow. Love to Judy, Pinky, Suzanne and the Tortorice family. Mark and Christina Livingston
Mimi was such a dear, wonderful lady that nurtured and adored her family. She is on the other side smiling at the outpouring of love displayed today, the day of her final rest. We love you Judy, Pinky, Suzanne & Shelley & of course the rest of the family!
Dear , Judy, Pinky, Susann , Shelly ,
Family and Friends. 💟
So Avery Sorry For Your Loss .🛐🛐
She was a Beautiful And Spiritual Person, She loved her God, and Family.
I meet her and her husband in 1979,
At Jason’s, they both where so very nice to me , and they both had beautiful and welcoming Smile’s .
I know the Paine of saying Goodbye, To Our Mom .💟
Gods Peace To Her Soul And Comfort To Each Of You. 🛐🛐🛐
God’s Peace To Joe, Sr. & Joe Jr Soul , l know y’all reunion in Heaven, Was Spiritual and Full Of Joy .✝️✝️✝️
God’s Peace To You All.💟
Rhonda.
Rodney 🙏🙏
i got to know your mom as aunt margaret when i worked for tony & rc at starship. i loved her & we all loved her. she was always the nicest & friendliest person.
i know it has been a long journey. i am glad that she’s at peace.
love & prayers to the family.
mike cacioppo
We didn’t know Mimi that well. However, her children and grandchildren we have been WELL acquainted with for quite a while. So in that respect, we actually felt like we did know her to be a kind, funny, caring, adventurous, spiritual, knowledgeable, perceptive, warm, hard-working, visionary and most importantly, loving person. Go with God Mrs T.
Jamie & Cindy Dishman
My condolences to the entire family. Margaret was a sweet loving woman. What a blessing to have so many generations touched by her and her touched by them. Blessings.
Reggie Orchid
Judy, Pinky and Suzanne, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you on the passing of your beautiful Mother. May she rest in peace forever in heaven.
Pinky,
Cherish the memories and time you and your family spent with your mother. She was a beautiful lady who loved her family. Prayers for all of you.
Love,
Marie
May GOD grant Margaret salvation and an eternal life as a member of the family of GOD, in Heaven. I first met Joe and Margaret as a 8 or 9 year old. Their Fruitland grocery is where my mother did her grocery shopping. They allowed her to have a “Charge Account”, as this was before credit cards, and she only received her pay check once a month. They were always so kind and loving to our family. Later, in life, we would see them often, attending mass at St. Jude’s, always taking the time to chat after mass. Her obituary shows the love she received and gave, to others, throughout her life. May she rest in peace. Our love and prayers to all of the Tortorice family.
Judy, Pinky, and Suzanne
My heart goes out to you. Your family was such a big part of my life growing up in Beaumont. The memories I have of her and Joe and Joey make me smile and cry at the same time. Endless poker games, ping pong games, Suzanne’s easy bake oven,
Jacques aka swartz the dog. Parties we thought we got away with, she always knew about. Good memories I will always cherish.
Frankie
Dear Judy, Pinky, Suzanne, Shelley, and Families,
Mimi was the sweetest lady we have ever known! She included us as part of her family from the first time we met her. She would always greet us with that great big smile make us feel so loved and important to her. We were blessed to have known and loved her for so many years. She will be deeply missed.
Sending our love and prayers for the comfort only God can give, Charles and Linda
Dear Tortorice family, I am very sorry to hear about Mrs. Tortorice passing. She was such a kind, sweet funny lady. My mom, Ivon, died over a year ago. Hope those three; Margaret, Alice & Ivon are having a good time together again !
My love to you all ! Peggy
Pinky & family, your sweet Mom always made me feel at home with the many sleepovers in high school! She was truly a loving woman. I know she will be missed by many… Love, Sally
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. I have many fond memories of Blue Bird meetings with Mrs. Totorice as our group leader. She was a beautiful woman and will be missed.
Charlene Perroni