Joan A. (Ambrey) Torrey

NORTH ANDOVER Joan A. (Ambrey) Torrey, 85, of North Andover, died peacefully on Friday, January 20, 2017 at Sutton Hill Center, North Andover.
Her husband of 42 years, John F. "Jack" Torrey, died in April, 2002. She leaves two daughters, Elizabeth "Liz" Rice and her husband Roger of Holden, Nancy De Pietro and her husband Simon of Mattapoisett; five sons, Kevin Torrey and his wife Brenda of South Lawrence, Shaun Torrey and his wife Beth of Dalton, MA, Jeffrey Torrey and his wife Vicky of Plaistow, NH; James "Jay" Torrey and his wife Martha of South Lawrence, and John P. Torrey of New Bedford; her former daughter-in-law, Jennifer Torrey of Townsend; 11 grandchildren, Daniel and Kara Torrey, Ambrey, Juliette and Thomas Rice, Devon and Maeve Torrey, Brandyn and Alex Torrey, Shannon McGrath and her husband Jason, and Justin Torrey; three great-grandchildren, Aidan, Aubrey, and Andrew McGrath. She also leaves a sister-in law, Ruth Ambrey of New Jersey, nieces and nephews and many close friends. She is predeceased by her four brothers, Frank, Tom, John, and James Ambrey. She was born in Lawrence, daughter of Ernest and Anna (Milmore) Ambrey and has lived in North Andover for 55 years.
Joan graduated from Sacred Heart School in Lawrence, St. Marys High School in Lawrence, and Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in Boston. She worked as a secretary at AVCO Corp. before her marriage to Jack and raising seven children. She later worked as a travel agent for Groups, Inc. Joan was a longtime member of St. Michaels Parish in North Andover. She was a wonderful cook, she enjoyed spending time wither her family, gardening, traveling, especially to Bermuda, and staying at the family summer home in Moody Beach, Maine. Joan had very dedicated and devoted friends, some she has known since elementary school. She was a loved by all who knew her and she will be greatly missed.
Joans family would like to thank Compassus Hospice Care of North Andover and the nursing staff at Sutton Hill Center for the care she received.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday 10 AM at St. Michael Church, 196 Main St, North Andover. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Immaculate Conception Cemetery, Lawrence. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4:00 to 7:00 pm at Conte Funeral Home, 17 3rd St, North Andover.  In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Merrimack Valley Catholic Charities, 70 Lawrence St, Lowell, MA 01852.