Menu
Search by Name
Search by Name
FUNERAL HOME
Jay Ruffner Obituary
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jay Ruffner
Joan Goldfarb
October 13, 2007
Dear Mary Ell and Family,
Our daughters Jill and Abbie enjoyed several birthday celebrations with your daughters. We were so sorry to hear of Jay's passing. We met you because I am a Pittsburgh native and life long Steeler fan. Mutual friends encouraged us to look you up when we moved to Phoenix in 1973. We hope your happy memories help you through your sorrow.
Sincere sympathy,
Joan and David Goldfarb
Jill Van Arsdale
September 22, 2007
Dear Ruffner Family-
I am so very sorry to hear this news. I went to school with Jay at Sunnyslope and I am thinking of him and his entire family at this time.
Nikki Thackeray
September 21, 2007
I spent a few years working next to Jay Ruffner and Melissa at the next desk over and I remember especially when we were moving into our new building from 100 West Washington, how I cut my hand on those darned box-cutters (the ones he warned me about) and how kind and thoughtful he was to wrap my hand and not say, I told you so.
God bless your family at this very difficult time.
Stacy Dlugokecki
September 20, 2007
Dear Ruffner family, I knew Jay a short time from working at Fennemore at the front desk, and took from him a great sense of humor; I always remember he enjoyed his V8 and the Steelers; my deepest regards to everyone in your family.
How you can show support
Follow
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
Sarah Murphy-Kinsey
September 19, 2007
Dear Ruffner family-
I feel very blessed to have grown up with Megan and taken part in many Ruffner celebrations over the years. I witnessed how Jay Ruffner was a wonderful, caring, and witty father to all of us, and will always cherish those memories.
I wish your family much strength and healing over time.
My thoughts are with you-
Dianna Noli Hill
September 19, 2007
Dear Mary Ell, Jay, Megan and Stephanie,
Please accept our deepest sympathy at this very difficult time. May it comfort you to know that we care about you.
Our Thoughts and Prayers,
The Chengdu China Committee
Jane (Birge) McLaughlin
September 19, 2007
Dear Mary Ell & Family: My deepest sympathies for your loss. Jay was a warm, kind man whom I've always felt lucky to have known and worked for. He taught me how to be a lawyer, and more importantly, how to be an honest and thorough lawyer. I not only respected and admired Jay, I genuinely liked him, and remember many laughs we shared over the years. He was quite a character, and truly a good man. He will be greatly missed.
Mary Beth Hutchinson
September 19, 2007
Mr. Ruffner was one of my interviewers for the Flinn Scholarship last year. He left an indelible impact even though the interview lasted less than half an hour. My best wishes to those he left behind.
Felecia Clack
September 19, 2007
Praying the Lord will encourage you with His presence, surround you with His love and comfort you with His peace in this time of sorrow.
I offer my sincerest condolences to the Ruffner family.
Janece Hanks
September 19, 2007
Having worked for Mr. Ruffner, I know he had a great commitment to community and friends. His family was always first and foremost above anything else that may have been transpiring. With great personal sorrow, I extend my heartfelt sympathy to the Ruffner family.
Stephanie Spearman
September 19, 2007
I would like to express my heartfelt sympathy to the Ruffner family. I worked with Jay at Meyer Hendricks and Fennemore Craig. May God Bless and Keep you all.
Stephanie
Mary Valentine-Legler
September 19, 2007
To our Papa, we love you and miss you. As AJ said, "Nothing can take away the hurt of our Papa leaving us."
You are a man of honor and father that the Valentine family never had. Your passing has left a hole in our lives. Our family gatherings will be not the same. I remember your famous spaghetti and meatball dinner that we always shared at the cabin… Thanksgiving hams at Megan and Brian's… birthdays with a houseful of cousins…. riding quads during the Christmas snow while you pulled grandchildren behind on a sled… and just this past 4th of July, you helped set up lemonade stand for Matthew and AJ to sell the parade candy to charitable neighbors….
Mr. Ruffner, you are the dad we could count on. You made a difference in our lives. I love you. Rest Papa and know that you are loved. You are much missed.
Melissa Santello-Flores
September 19, 2007
Dear Mary Ell, Jason, Megan and Stephanie, some of the best times of my life were spent with Jay and your whole family. Jay was so many things to me, a teacher, a mentor, a confidante, he was like a father to me. But most of all he was a perfect example of integrity, honesty and respect. I learned more from him than I could ever have learned in any school or university. I am so lucky to have known him and spent all those years working with him. My thoughts and prayers are with you now and always. Love, Melissa
Dana Ramsey
September 19, 2007
I only worked with Mr. Ruffner for a short time, but within that time I enjoyed his sense of humor and his great advice. He will be truly missed.
To his family, you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Hazel Guliford
September 19, 2007
Dear Ruffner Family:
I wish to convey my heartfelt sympathy for the passing of Mr. Ruffner. He served for many years on the Flinn Foundation Board which is where I met him. There is no one with his flair and grace -- I will miss him. Thank you for sharing him with us. All my best.
David Bruno
September 19, 2007
I truly enjoyed being in his presence. I will miss him.
David Vieweg
September 19, 2007
Jay left a significant legacy. He gave much of himself to the community. His involvement in the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and the Arizona Corporation Commission demonstrate his civic-mindedness. That he had a big heart is attested to by his involvement in numerous charitable boards in the Valley, including Fennemore Craig's charitable foundation. His passing is a sad loss to our community.
To Mary Ell and the rest of his family: I wish you comfort and peace.
Joanne Christensen
September 19, 2007
My sincere prayers have been made to our Lord to continue to keep Jay as well as his family in His care.
God Bless You All
Constance Gantz
September 19, 2007
When I worked for Mr. Ruffner, I observed his great sense of humor, willingness to help others and affection for his family and friends. He is a memorable person, and I will miss him. My sincere condolences to the family.
Kathryn Foss
September 19, 2007
We are so sorry about Jay.
You are all in our thoughts and prayers.
I so wish I could be there with you in this time.
We love you.
Kathryn and Christopher
Skip Acuff
September 19, 2007
Jay, everyone looked up to as the master lawyer most of us can only dream of becoming. We struggle to comprehend your passing.
To Jay's family, I offer my deepest sympathy and sincere condolences.
Showing 1 - 21 of 21 results
Make a Donation
in Jay Ruffner's name
Memorial Events
for Jay Ruffner
People and places connected with Jay
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Jay's loved ones
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read more
Resources to help you cope with loss
How to Cope With Grief
Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you.
Read more
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read moreWays to honor Jay Ruffner's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
