June Marilyn Torrey

Thy word is a lamp into my feet and light into my path. It is with heavy hearts, June M. Torrey went home to her Lord on April 12, 2026, with her son Peter and family by her side. She was born June 22, 1935, to H.T (Ted) and Marguerite (Hansen) Norden in Muskegon, Michigan. She spent her childhood living in Muskegon and graduated from Muskegon Heights High School in 1953. She attended Muskegon Community College for two years and then transferred to the University of Michigan Dental School, where she graduated with a bachelor's degree in dental hygiene in 1957.

She married Richard Torrey that summer. They lived in Ann Arbor, where he went to medical school at the University of Michigan. During that time, she practiced dental hygiene at the Veterans Hospitals dental clinic. Upon completion of medical school, they moved to Traverse City, where he completed his internship at Munson Hospital.

Their first child was born a son, Christopher Michael Torrey. After a year-long internship, they moved to Detroit, where Dr. Torrey completed a three-year residency in internal medicine at Henry Ford Hospital. At that time, June worked as a dental hygienist for Dr. Joseph Markey in the Fisher Bldg. After his residency, Dr. Torrey was drafted into the army during the Vietnam War. They were stationed in Mineral Wells, Texas, for two years at Fort Wolters. During this time, their second son, Peter Michael Torrey, was born. Upon completion of his two years of service time, they returned to Muskegon, and Dr. Torrey joined Dr. Gardner White in the practice of internal medicine. A few years later, Dr. Torrey and June parted their ways, and June went back to practice dental hygiene for Dr. Mort Kantor and later for Dr. Ernest Sesselman and still later for Dr. Dave Emig. She ended her dental hygiene career by practicing dental hygiene for Dr. John Mullally for 20 years and for Dr. Susan Wood and Dr. Gary Lukkari for 20 years.

June loved music and played the piano in her younger years and sang in church choirs for many years. She was an active member at Central Lutheran Church and then later at Forest Park Covenant Church. She did visitations to shut-ins and helped with funerals at church. She went on four mission trips to Alaska, three dental mission trips to Kentucky, and a mission trip to Kenya, Africa. She also went on a trip to the Holy Land, Israel. She belonged to the service league for many years. She loved her dogs, especially Holly, and she was an avid U of M fan. We know she is singing "Hail to the Victors " in heaven, and for the life she lived.

She is remembered as a tender, giving, servant for others. She was a resilient sister in Christ, a woman with a good fire within her, who lived fully and loved deeply, despite some hard life experiences. She treasured most, time with her family and took delight in traditions that reflected her Danish roots. She loved the water, especially Grand Traverse Bay, in Traverse City, Michigan. The mountains spoke to her heart from Aspen, Colorado to the Great Tetons in the state of Wyoming. She will be deeply missed by many.

June is survived by her son Peter (Christine) Torrey from Traverse City; grandchildren Evan Torrey, Briana Torrey; great-grandchildren Grace Torrey and Silas Knudsen; and many extended family members, especially Joe & Ginna Schiller. She is preceded in death by her son Christopher M. Torrey, her parents, and her brother Dr. James (Sue) Norden.

A memorial service will be held at Forest Park Covenant Church on Monday, June 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., on her special birthday, with visitation starting at 10:00 a.m. A recption will take place immediately following the services. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Missions Ministry of Forest Park Covenant Church or a ministry of your choice. The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate staff at The Maples, in Frankfort, Michigan for their exceptional care, love and kindness she received.