Gayle Marie Torrez

Gayle Marie (Couillard) Torrez, age 71, passed away on August 22, 2025. She was born on June 17, 1954, to Laverne and Dolores (Cordy) Couillard.

Gayle graduated from Green Bay East High School in 1972. She briefly attended UW–Stout in 1973, where she began her lifelong spiritual journey after being introduced to the Bible’s message of a hope for the future by her friend Pat Backus. She was baptized as one of Jehovah’s Witnesses June 17, 1973. On September 26, 1992, Gayle married Michael Torrez. From that day forward, they were truly “one flesh”. To their friends, “Mike and Gayle” were names always said together. Day after day, their appreciation for one another grew. When Mike would speak of Gayle, even after 32 years married, she was still “my Bride”.

Gayle experienced unique challenges from the age of 15 months when she contracted Polio. She developed into a strong, pragmatic, empathetic person who used her challenges and life experience to help anyone she could. As a young woman, she made it her full-time endeavor to teach others about the Bible. She maintained her zeal decades later as she used any opportunity to tell others about the Bible’s hope for the future. In her personal Bible, she had even made notes about the 5 stages of grief so she could share appropriate scriptures for someone needing comfort at any stage. When new challenges affected their friends, Gayle’s tenacity and curiosity moved her to study and learn so she could provide practical help to those in need.

Gayle had a special place in her heart for Grace and Charlie Bain who adopted Gayle like a grandmother.

Gayle was preceded in death by her parents, Laverne and Dolores Couillard.

She is survived by her sister, Cordy Wescott of Green Bay (husband Paul, deceased); her brother, Gary Couillard; her niece, Peggy (Goddard); her nephew, Jeffrey Wescott; and her great-nephew, Jordan Goddard and his wife Erika.

Gayle will also be remembered by her beloved husband Mike, extended family, and many, many friends in congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses, including De Pere which was her home congregation.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at De Pere Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 1450 Swan Rd, De Pere, WI 54115. Visitation will be at 2:30pm with a service at 3:30pm and a meal to follow.

Online attendance is available via Zoom at Meeting ID 839 8275 8480 with passcode: 1954