Eduvijes (Vico) Aguirre

On February 6th of 2022, Eduvijes (Vico) Torres Aguirre was called home to be with her Lord. Vico was born in Mexico in 1940 to Refugio and Guillermina Torres. In 1945, Vico's parents moved the family to Texas to provide more opportunities for their children to pursue a better education. At that time, Odessa's perennial oil boom was drawing workers and their families to the area. A journey of 42 remarkable years began when Vico married Nolberto Aguirre in 1955. Their love of family and shared dreams gave them immeasurable strength to build their lives and raise six children. Through their love for each other, their years were filled with faith, work and sacrifice. Their readiness to help others became a blessing to family and friends.

As a young mother, Vico used her steady resolve to face every challenge. Caring for a large family drew out her creative spirit. Self taught, she became an accomplished seamstress making wedding dresses, suits, and school clothes for her kids. Her keen gaze and clever versatility enabled her to make and design anything. The kitchen table became adorned with sugar flowers and intricate decorations until practice evolved into expertly made grand wedding cakes, dual cakes with bridges, 10+ layers each with exquisite designs. These are just a few of the many ways her talent and imagination enhanced her family's means.

The common thread of Vico’s storied career was progression. Through her outstanding perseverance and determination, she garnered positions of increasing responsibilities. She became the manager at Zavala Elementary in the Ector County Independent School District (ECISD), within a mere three years of starting as a dishroom operator. At the same time, she advanced her education by attending continuing education classes at Odessa College, culminating in being certified by the Texas School Food Service Association. Her dedication and professionalism saw her rise swiftly through the food service ranks, first managing at Ector Junior High and Odessa High School, and then becoming Food Services Supervisor in 1987.

As Supervisor, Vico focused her transformative attention on improving departmental operations. She was the driving force behind the implementation of the innovative “Offered versus Served” style of service at all ECISD elementary campuses, dramatically increasing efficiency and choice and reducing waste and cost.

In the early nineties, Vico lent her knowledge and insights to the development of the Associated Milk Producers, Inc. Consumer Services booklet. This publication became instrumental in helping food service workforces in meeting USDA dietary recommendations. Highlighting a career marked with distinction, Vico was nominated Food Services Department 1995 Employee of the Year. Managers, colleagues and employees alike lauded her for her fairness, helpfulness and dedication to children's meals; above all, they valued her friendship.

Springtime of 1996 brought a culinary challenge in the form of the TEA Texas School Recipe Round Up Contest. The contest called for recipes with sweet potatoes as the "secret" ingredient. Determined to enter the contest, Vico created a recipe and teamed up with a former co-worker who helped refine her creation. Their efforts were rewarded when their "Blueberry Sweet Potato Bread" recipe won First Place in the “Totally Texas Recipe Category”. As winners, they were invited by then Governor George W. Bush & Laura Bush to a luncheon at the Governor's Mansion celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the School Lunch Program to honor all winners of the contest.

Vico’s dedication extended to serving as an active member of the Odessa School Food Service Association (OSFSA) for 33 years. She contributed her time, energy and expertise, chaired many committees, and even served as the President of the OSFSA in the early eighties. As a leader, she inspired by words and deeds and gave many food services employees the courage to continue their professional education and growth.

But Vico was not all work and no play. Throughout her life, she traveled with Nolberto and the children during summer vacations. They visited many spectacular national parks and created many treasured family memories. She loved to gather with family and friends for birthdays, weddings, graduations, and all festive celebrations. Her playful spirit always sparked those around her to laugh and enjoy life. She had a passion for horticulture and prized her collection of exotic plants. A special joy to her was the calm and serene beauty of the pine wood forests in the mountains. A woman of many interests, she read and liked to learn and expand her knowledge and enjoyed many hobbies.

She was wise, caring and always made stronger by her faith in God. Vico devoted a large part of her life to the church, in support of her Christian values. She served as church treasurer, Sunday school teacher, special activities chairperson and helped organize special events. As an elder, many members of the church came to her for counsel.

She always kept close relationships with her siblings and nurtured her children to live fulfilling lives. She spent as much time as possible with her many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Through the years, she was always happy when they remembered her and came by to see her. To Vico, this was the full circle of love in action and a precious gift.

Vico is survived and will be dearly missed by her sister Santos, brothers Refugio and Antonio, brother-in-law Santiago, sister-in-law Angela; her four sons and two daughters, Elias, Agustin, Olivia, Nolberto, Leo and Vicky, daughters-in-law Kaye, Melissa, Sandra and son-in-law Isaac; twelve grandchildren, fifteen great grandchildren and many adoring nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in dealth by her husband Nolberto, parents Refugio and Guillermina, sister Rosa, daughter-in-law Teresa, granddaughter Crysta Leigh, and many other relatives and friends.

Funeral arrangements are pending and will be handled by Martinez Funeral Home and Crematory and Sunset Memorial Gardens and Funeral Home in Odessa. In consideration of present day health concerns for family, friends and the community, a graveside funeral memorial will be held at Sunset Memorial Gardens where Vico's ashes will be laid to rest with her beloved husband Nolberto in everlasting peace.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to the animal charity of your choice.