Dr. Ruth Susana Rios

1930 - 2023

Dr. Ruth Susana Rios, 92, of Louisville, Kentucky passed away peacefully at home with family by her side on Saturday, March 4, 2023.

She was born on Aug. 15, 1930, in Bahia Blanca, Argentina. After finishing her primary education, she completed Medical School in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where she met her husband of 55 years, Dr. Mario Rios. They moved to the United States with their two children, Cynthia (2 years old) and John (1-year-old), in 1966 and became U.S. citizens in 1973. Her son, Alex, was born in Texas in 1968. Over the next 55 years, they lived in Texas, Missouri, and Louisville, Kentucky.

Ruth completed her residency in anesthesiology at the University of Texas at Galveston. Upon completion, she practiced anesthesiology at St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky. Several years later, Ruth and Mario decided to be closer to family, brother Juan Nix, and moved to Bolivar. While in Bolivar, Ruth established a primary care office focused on rural healthcare. Her rural healthcare interest started in Colombia when she would drive her Jeep through the rugged mountainside to see her patients. Ruth returned to Louisville, Kentucky, and continued to practice anesthesiology at St. Mary and Elizabeth Hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, until her retirement.

Ruth was an active member of St. Matthews Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky. Her most memorable moments were worshiping through music and volunteering with the Brazil Medical Mission Trip several times. She could light up a room with her smile and style and always had time to discuss her Dutch and Argentinian background and her love of medicine. Mostly she loved her family, grandchildren, and God. Wonderful family memories were made at Hilton Head, Island, South Carolina, backyard pool parties at Alex's home, and attending ballets at the Kentucky Center for the Arts.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Dr. Mario; her parents, Juan Nix, and Hilda Pasquet-Nix; her sibling, Juan Nix and wife, Lidia Nix; her father-in-law, Jose Rios; mother-in-law Maria Rios; and niece, Sheila Steverson.

She is survived by her daughter, Cynthia Pace (Julian Pace) of Louisville, Kentucky; her son, John J Rios of Nashville, Tennessee, and son, Alex Rios (Tessa Rios) of Bowling Green, Kentucky; grandchildren, Amelia Pace, Nicholas Pace, Ashley Elizabeth Daniels, Luke Rios, Roman Rios, Isabella Rios, nephews Gustavo Nix (Laura); John Nix (Ronda), and Pam Nix, widow of brother Juan Nix.

A tribute to her life will be shared at Rattermans Funeral Home, 12900 Shelbyville Rd, Louisville, Kentucky. Visitation will be Saturday, March 11, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. A private family funeral and burial will follow at Floydsburg Cemetery in Crestwood, Kentucky.

In place of flowers, memorial gifts in the form of contributions may be made to St. Matthews Baptist Church, Louisville, Kentucky, or Hosparus Health, Louisville, Kentucky.