December 15, 1940-August 9, 2026
Eileen Johanna Torrey, surviving spouse of the late Rev. William J. Torrey (Retired Elder), died peacefully in her home on August 9, 2026 at the age of 85.
Eileen was born in Chicago on December 15, 1940, to June Anderson Witherell and Carlyle Otto Witherell, Jr. One of five children, she grew up with her siblings Carlyle, Mary Ann, Roberta, and Wayne, spending her childhood in Hastings, Minnesota, and Wayland, Michigan.
Eileen attended the Blodgett School of Nursing, where she earned her degree as a registered nurse. For 63 consecutive years, she produced an annual newsletter to keep her nursing class connected.
On July 13, 1963, she married William (Bill) Torrey, forming a true partnership in their life and ministry together. Eileen served alongside Bill in the United Methodist churches he pastored in Wacousta, Battle Creek, South Haven, Ludington, Jackson, Portage, and Rockford, Michigan. After moving to New Hampshire in 1999, Eileen took great pride in being asked to be a co-pastor alongside Bill for the Campton Congregational Church. Eileen then made Plymouth Congregational Church UCC her longest standing church home, serving in a variety of leadership roles there over the next 25 years. She cherished the friendships she made in her church communities.
Beyond her work at church, Eileen enjoyed volunteer roles in service to others. For 29 summers, she led youth groups on Appalachia Service Project trips to repair homes for families in need. She also participated in mission trips to other US regions, as well as internationally in Madagascar and Zimbabwe. She volunteered for many years as a docent at the Squam Lakes Natural Science Center and as a chaplain at Speare Memorial Hospital.
Eileen’s gardens were a particular source of joy for her, filling summers with bright flowers that flourished under her care. Eileen and Bill shared a special love for the water, living for many years on Lake Michigan, later spending summers at their cottage on a small lake in Michigan, and ultimately settling along a brook leading to Squam Lake in New Hampshire.
Above all, family was at the center of Eileen’s life. She often said that the greatest joy of her life was motherhood and becoming a grandmother. She considered her children and grandchildren among her life’s greatest gifts and the time spent with them her most treasured memories.
Eileen is survived by her sisters, Mary Ann Getty and Roberta Mandeville; her children, Lisa (Chris) Weiss, Bill (Bonnie) Torrey, Bob (Jen) Torrey; and her grandchildren, Becky (Stuart) Alldrit and son Parker, David (Megan) Torrey and son Wesley, Jessica Weiss, Olivia Weiss, Maddie (Levi) Schwarz, and Katie Torrey.
Eileen is buried at the Trinity Churchyard Cemetery in Holderness, NH, alongside Bill. A Celebration of Life in Eileen’s memory will be scheduled with her church community at her beloved Plymouth Congregational Church UCC.
Condolences may be shared online at Everloved.com.
Last Updated on August 26, 2026