Basilia Leyva Ruiz

1926 - 2016

Basilia Leyva Ruiz

October 11, 1926 - July 29, 2016

Brooks - Basilia Ruiz of Brooks passed away at Legacy Meridian Medical Center in Tualatin July 29 from complications of heart disease, nearly one month after the death of her husband. She was 89.

One of six siblings, Basilia was born to Román and Gavina Leyva Oct. 11, 1926 in Asherton, Texas. While her parents worked long hours as farm laborers, Basilia was responsible for caring for the Leyva home. She met her husband, Julian Ruiz, in 1946 at a dance; three months later, they were married. Basilia and Julian started a large family, and would travel annually to Oregon where Julian picked crops and recruited farm labor. The couple and their children settled in St. Paul in 1955, and then relocated to Brooks in 1971.

Soft-spoken and dignified, Basilia turned homemaking into an art form. She was a masterful cook of traditional Mexican food, a meticulous housekeeper, and a talented quilter and seamstress who made her daughters' clothing. Besides raising her nine daughters and sons, Basilia cared for her younger in-laws who had lost their parents. She also babysat three generations of Ruiz grandchildren.

When she wasn't tending her flower garden or making tamales, Basilia enjoyed telenovelas, scrapbooking, shopping, and visiting the Oregon Coast with her daughters. She was a regular customer of Christmas gift bazaars, and would often brunch at Spirit Mountain Casino on Sundays.

Julian and Basilia were long-time parishioners of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Gervais.

Basilia Ruiz was preceded in death by her parents and siblings; her husband, Julian Ruiz; and her daughters, Eva Berning and Diana Coleman. She is survived by her sons: Julian, Jr., Jimmy, Jerry and Jeff Ruiz; her daughters: Armandina Alvarez, Florinda Cardenas and Cathy Tidwell; 29 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, and 10 great-great-grandchildren; and many relatives and close friends.

On Aug. 4th a rosary in Basilia's honor will be held at 6 p.m. at Simon Cornwell Colonial Chapel, 390 N. 2nd Street. in Woodburn. A funeral service for Basilia is scheduled Aug. 5 at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 485 7th Street in Gervais. Simon-Cornwell Colonial Chapel is handling arrangements.