San Luis councilwoman returns to duties following heart surgery

SAN LUIS, Ariz.— After a month of inactivity following quadruple bypass heart surgery, Gloria Torres has returned to her duties as a San Luis city councilwoman.

“My children told me I shouldn't come back yet, mainly my daughter who has stayed with me the all these weeks,” Torres said recently as she attended her first meeting after the surgery in November.

“But I told them, ‘You know that I am very active, and I can't do what you are asking of me, that I quit.'

“I'm going to be taking things a little more easy, a little more slowly, because it was hard, but I was anxious to come back and see my friends and colleagues.”

Torres, 62, underwent surgery to free up four blocked arteries after being taken to the Yuma Regional Medical Center emergency room.

Torres is not only is returning to her duties on the city council but also to the seat she holds simultaneously on the Gadsden Elementary School District governing board.

“I am passionate about everything that has to do with public service, including schools,” she said. “I get excited whenever I seen children participate in activities.”

Torres says it'll be another month before she returns to her job with the Comite de Bienestar housing organization in San Luis.

In the meantime, she said, she's anxious to press ahead with her council duties.

“One of the many satisfactions is to serve the community and to earn the esteem of the public.”