Maria (Maya) Torngren passed away on September 26, 2024 at the age of 95. Maya was born in Augsburg, Germany on February 26, 1929. She grew up during World War II, and survived several bombings of her hometown. After the war, she met the love of her life, Torben (Toby) Torngren, who was part of the Allied occupation in her hometown. She left her home and family in 1952 and moved to the U.S. The couple first lived in Georgia, and then moved to Michigan, where their four children were born.

Maya had quite an adventurous life. In 1967, Toby quit his job, sold the house, and the family traveled through Europe and the Canary Islands. They returned to Michigan a year later and then moved to California in 1971. Toby had a wandering soul and Maya gamely followed him, living in Fremont, Hayward, Atascadero, San Jose, Vacaville, and finally setting down in Oakdale. Maya made lifelong friends everywhere she lived, joining local Newcomers Club, War Brides association, quilting guilds and gardening clubs. She bloomed wherever she was planted. Every home they lived in was made more beautiful by Toby’s renovations and Maya’s knack for decorating and creating beautiful gardens.

Maya always had creative hobbies, such as cross-stitch, crochet, and sewing, but found her true passion when she discovered quilting. Maya made over 100 quilts, mostly original creations expressing her personal history and places she had been. She had a mastery of fabric selection and composition, as well as endless creative ideas for new quilts. She presented many of these in “trunk shows” at local quilting guilds.

Maya loved to read and kept up with current events, even through her 95th year. Her mind was always sharp and she had a keen interest in politics. She became an author at the age of 78 and wrote and published her life story, “Maya: the Story of a German War Bride” in 2007. She had many friends and managed to stay upbeat and strong, even after losing her husband and facing several health challenges.

Maya was preceded in death by her husband, Torben; son, Kenneth; and granddaughter, Ingrid. She is survived by her daughters Karin Arrigoni (Dave) and Susan Torngren (John); son, Gary Torngren (Lisa); granddaughter, Laura Waisanen; grandson, Michael Torngren; and sister and niece, Gerda Jung and Sonja Jung of Augsburg.

The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader

The Riverbank (Calif.) News

Nov. 6, 2024