Bertha B. Ruiz

Bertha B. Ruiz died on Wednesday, April 22, 2020, while in hospice at Brookdale Senior Living Center in San Antonio, Texas, at age 76. Bertha was born in Austin and lived there nearly all her life. She lived a short time in southern California when her husband was serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, and in St. Louis when her husband got a job there working for the Social Security Administration.

She was the eldest child of eight born to John Barrientes and Epifania Lugo Barrientes. She married Abundio Ruiz, Jr. on July 15, 1961. After Abundio died in 1974, she raised her three children on her own. From 1977 to 1980, Bertha attended St. Edward's University. She then transferred to the University of Texas at Austin, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Home Economics.

She devoted much of her life to teaching and caring for children. She was a room mother at the Texas School for the Deaf for many years, a nanny for her grandchildren, and later an assistant teacher at several elementary schools. She mentored several children, including Ricky Luna.

Bertha had many avocations over the years, including weaving, knitting, sewing, and cooking. She was a great cook who could make perfectly round and delicious tortillas in no time at all. She was a voracious reader of mystery, science fiction, and historical romance books. She could read several books in a day. She would go to Half Price Books and buy a box of them, then read them all in a week or two. She never stopped learning and then passing on what she'd learned to whoever would listen. And we always listened. We'll miss her stories, her laugh, and her smile, especially when she was in a mischievous mood.

Bertha was preceded in death by her husband, Abundio; her parents, John and Epifania Barrientes; and her brothers Timothy and Thomas. She is survived by her daughter, Teresa (Gary) Ruiz; her sons, Michael (Dawn) and David (Wendy) Ruiz; her grandchildren, Frederick (Natali), Daniela (Alex), Elisa, and Benjamin Kurzban; and her brothers John Jr., Henry, Roy, and Leon. Her sister, Janie, passed away in April of this year.

Burial and memorial service will be held on July 23 at 10 a.m. at Assumption Cemetery, 3650 S. IH 35 Frontage Rd., Austin, TX 78704. Please email Michael.D.Ruiz@protonmail.com if you need any further information.