EMILY RUIZ TEMPLE

1936 - 2020

Emily Ruiz Temple, 84, of La Mesa passed away on April 26, 2020. Emily was born on January 8, 1936 in Imperial, CA. Emily grew up in El Centro, CA and attended Central Union High School. With the help of her loving and supportive family, including her parents, brother Robert, and sister Dolores, Emily worked hard and graduated from San Diego State University, where she obtained her bachelor's degree in education. She went on to earn a Master's degree and finally, she attended Northern Arizona University, where she completed all but her dissertation as part of their doctoral program. Here, she displayed one of her many selfless acts, opting to devote herself full time to her work as a Reading Specialist, and elementary school teacher as well as wife and mother to three teen-aged children. Emily worked tirelessly as an educator and advocate for children as a part of many school districts, including Poway, National City, and Chula Vista. Emily was preceded in death by her parents, Martina and Manuel Ruiz; brothers Gabriel and Armando Ruiz, and sister Dolores Meyer. She is survived by her brothers, Robert Ruiz, and Gonzalo Ruiz; her cousin Gaye (Gutierrez) Edinger; her former husband, friend and confidant, Thomas Temple; her sons, Mark Temple (Julie), William Temple (Diana), and her daughter Andrea. Emily's grandchildren Tommy, Billy, Brandy, Roman, Evie, Tim, Drew, and Lexi will miss her loving embrace and special attention. She is also survived by her niece, who was more like a daughter to her, Linda Diane Lingley; her husband Steve, and their children Allison and Eric. She has so many other wonderful relatives, too lengthy to list here, but all are adored and treasured by her and the surviving family. Memorial Donations on behalf of Emily Temple can be made to https://www.lymedisease.org/donate/