Ruth Juarez

IN LOVING MEMORY OF RUTH JUAREZ
May 3, 1924 - March 26, 2025
Ruth Juarez, age 100, passed away peacefully on March 26, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
Ruth (Cruz) was born on May 3, 1924, in Galesburg, Illinois, to Eustasio and Rosa B. Ledesma. She was the second of three children, raised in Blue Island, Illinois, alongside her older brother Antonio and younger sister Guadalupe. Growing up in a tight-knit community, Ruth's life was rooted in strong family values and deep faith in GOD.
In 1944, Ruth married Anthony Juarez. Together they raised four children- Ruth (Toni) Byrnes, Arthur Juarez, Josephine Juarez Galletto, and Jennifer Juarez-Riley creating a legacy of love and resilience.
Ruth was the heart of her family, known for her nurturing nature, tireless devotion and unconditional love. She lovingly cared for 26 family babies until she was 85 years old, always with gentle hands and an open heart. A woman of quiet strength, she found joy in life's simple pleasures-pulling weeds from her garden, faithfully attending Sunday Mass, and sweeping. (Yes, even with a broom that had two inches of bristles left-we all tried to buy her a new one, but she wouldn't have it... "This one works just fine," she'd say). She held lasting friendships with many in her church community, including the priests and nuns she came to know so well.
Granny had a soft spot for babies and a big love for her beer. Her stories were unforgettable, her humor sharp, and her sayings-famous. She lived with grit and grace, leaving behind a beautiful example of how to love deeply, live simply, and laugh often.
Ruth is survived by her daughters, Josephine Juarez Galletto and Jennifer Juarez-Riley; grandchildren, Kimberly Burke, Dana Juarez, Tommy (Julie) Juarez, Eddie Byrnes, Anna (Ryan) Rogers, Jeffrey Juarez, Anthony (Sherry) Brown, Julie Juarez, Jessica Juarez-Kelner, Nicholas (Chelsea) Galletto, Christopher (Kayleigh) Galletto, Dean (Fatima) Riley, Joseph (Alyssa) Riley, and Niko Riley; 20 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Ruth "Toni" (late Edward) Byrnes, her son Thomas Arthur (Betty) Juarez, and the father of her children, Anthony Juarez.
SERVICES
Visitation will be held on Sunday, March 30, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM at
Hickey Memorial Chapels 2429 W. 127th St., Blue Island, IL 60406
A prayer service will take place at 9:30 AM on Monday, March 31,
at Hickey Memorial Chapels, followed by a 10:00 AM Funeral Mass at
St. Donatus Catholic Church 1939 Union St., Blue Island, IL 60406
Interment will follow at St. Benedict Catholic Cemetery
4600 W. 135th St., Crestwood, IL 60445
Her strength carried generations, her laughter filled our hearts, and her love lives on in every story we tell and every child we hold.