Grace Torres, veteran photojournalist, dies aged 75

Grace Torres, a veteran Gibraltarian photojournalist, passed away on Sunday aged 75.

As a photographer for the Gibraltar daily newspaper Panorama, Grace had a front row viewpoint on the Rock’s history as it unfolded in real time for three decades.

From major incidents and political landmarks to the cultural events that are the lifeblood of this community, Grace was there to record the moment for posterity.

She was a kind and warm colleague who treated fellow journalists and photographers as members of her extended family.

Daily, she would work alongside other media photographers and cameramen and women, including her husband and fellow Panorama photographer, Anselmo, her son and GBC cameraman Donovan, and the Chronicle’s own Johnny Bugeja.

“Grace was an amazing colleague and friend,” Mr Bugeja said on Monday.

“She had been part of the local press team for the last 30 years and we will really miss her.”

Grace was a proud Gibraltarian and former Miss Gibraltar, winning the contest aged 17 in 1966 as Grace Valverde, the fourth Miss Gibraltar to be crowned.

She also shared her family’s love of music and was an accomplished singer, performing recently alongside family and friends in a National Day tribute to her late brother Philip Valverde.

Our condolences to her family and friends.

Her funeral will take place on Thursday at 11am from the Cathedral of St Mary the Crowned.