Rachel Torregrossa

Rachel passed away on Friday, March 27, 2026 after a long illness. Formerly of The Bronx, N.Y., she was born on Nov. 11, 1940 to the late Nicola and Jennie Laterza.

She married the love of her life, the late Thomas S. Torregrossa on June 5, 1965. After a short time of living in the Bronx, Rachel and Tom moved their family to Spring Valley, N.Y., where they lived for more than 25 years. Early in her marriage, she was a homemaker until her children reached school age. At that time, she began working at PreSchool Playhouse/Children’s Funland in Blauvelt, N.Y. During her 22 years, she made a difference in the lives of many children and their families. She was affectionately known as “Miss Rachel.”

After Thomas passed in 1990, Rachel lived with her daughter, Leonora (Lee) and her husband, Eric and their children in Monroe, N.Y. Once in Monroe, Rachel was very involved with all of her grandchildrens’ sports and milestones. Rachel could often be seen helping out at Monroe PTA events, Pop Warner and Girl Scouts. She especially loved to watch her grandchildren play sports, participate in school events and was happy to be such an integral part of their lives. She was known throughout Monroe-Woodbury as “Grandma Rachel.”

She enjoyed spending many afternoons with her friends at the Monroe Senior Center as well as attending local Bingo halls. She looked forward to attending the Feast of Maria S.S. Del Buoncammino every Labor Day Weekend, for every year of her life, where she spent time with family, friends and loved ones honoring the Blessed Mother and her family roots from Altamura, Italy.

As the baby of eight, she was predeceased by all of her brothers and sisters: Peter Laterza, John Laterza, Jack Laterza and John Baptist Laterza and her sisters: Santa Vite, Faye Plantamura and Vivian Bennie.

She is survived by her children: Leonora Friedman (Eric), Janine Liotta and Salvatore Torregrossa (Susie). She is also survived by seven grandchildren: Caila Schwartz (Chris), Thomas Friedman (Veronica), Kyle Liotta, Brianna DelVecchio (Dominic), Lauren Friedman, Meghan Torregrossa and Vincent Torregrossa. She is also survived by nine great grandchildren who called her “Gigi”: Olivia and Kinsley Schwartz, Jordyn and Rylee Friedman, Mia, Amanda, Hunter and Luke DelVecchio, and Owen Torregrossa. She was especially excited to meet Baby Tommy who is due this coming June. She is also survived by her in-laws, Robert and Margaret Torregrossa, Joanne Gatto and Christine Torregrossa as well as many nieces and nephews.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Rachel Torregrossa, please at https://shorturl.at/Aptge.