Clara de la Torre Memorial Fund

It is with a heavy but grateful heart that we create this memorial fund* in memory of our dear friend Clara de la Torre.

Clara was one of the most courageous and loving people that we knew and made friends everywhere she would go. Her ultra-present energy was captivating, and the stories of her countless adventures were enchanting. The world is a better place because of the light that she brought and the example that she was. She loved and is loved.

As a dynamic leader, Clara de la Torre was a wild land and aircraft rescue firefighter, volunteer for Mother Teresa, world traveler to over twenty-six countries, professional boxer, intercontinental dual sport motorcyclist, ultra-marathon runner, beekeeper, writer, mentor, coach, sister, aunt, cousin, daughter and a friend. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Seattle University and had just completed her Double Master’s Degree in Creative Writing from the Institute of American Indian Arts in May. She was currently writing her professional boxing memoir and a science fiction screenplay.

On Saturday June 12, 2021 Clara was on a weekend motorcycle trip in Colorado with a group of her close friends. Upon safely stopping to yield to oncoming traffic on Highway 69 before making a left hand turn on to Highway 1A, Clara was struck from behind by a distracted driver. She died immediately upon impact at approximately 4:15PM. Clara was doing what she loved.

While her life seems like it was too short, Clara was not short on living. She took advantage of the time she had on this planet and helped spread peace and joy through her zest for life.

Clara’s younger sister Rachel was her best friend, housemate and partner in adventure. The two sisters worked nearly every job together, including firefighting, camp counseling, dog-sitting, managing galleries, estates and more. In 2017, in honor of their mother Patricia passing from ovarian cancer and Rachel recovering from a decade of Lyme Disease, the sisters motorcycled a 360 degree trip of South America covering over 20,000 miles in four and a half months.

After years of dedicated work, Clara recently purchased her dream forever home in Santa Fe, NM. This home has been a special sanctuary for Clara and Rachel as well as friends and guests, including boxing students, folks that wanted to learn about beekeeping, kids, adults, and even four-legged friends.

Clara and Rachel have created together an impressive home and bee sanctuary. After a black bear attack on their hives last year, Clara built an electric fence around the bees to protect them. Clara had an immense level of empathy, care and respect and was an ambassador for all beings. She was very thoughtful of every action she took in life and at their home.

This fund will give Rachel time during this period of grief to assist in covering the mortgage. Our hope is that Rachel can keep their home, which Clara has left to her, and continue to love and care for their sanctuary, growing Clara’s legacy.

Love and light.

-Angela and Jason Kirkman, Christina and Taylor Selby, Jennifer and Kevin Box, Jamie Figueroa, Kerry Miller, and Mark Hess

* This fund was approved by Rachel de la Torre

For any questions about this please contact Jennifer Box [email redacted]