Grace L. Ruiz

In Loving Memory of

GRACE L. RUIZ

June 29, 1935 – August 6, 2025

Grace L. Ruiz, 90, joined our Heavenly Father on August 6, 2025, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother, godmother, aunt and friend. She was born on June 29, 1935, in Ojo Caliente, NM to Pedro and Rosana Lucero. She is preceded in death by her parents and her sisters: Delfina Silva (Trinidad), Andrellita Rivera (Ernie) Lorraine Jaramillo (Ernie/Eliberto Archuleta), Hermenia Jaramillo (Phil), her brothers: Luciano Lucero (Felonice), Audoro Lucero (Francis), Melecio Lucero (Thelma), brother in-law, Elias Ruiz (Lydia).

Grace graduated from Ojo Caliente High School and attended the College of St. Joseph in Albuquerque, NM. She worked for the New Mexico Corporation Commission for 30 years. She lived her life with deep faith, purpose, and unconditional love for her family and extended family. Grace was the last living sibling of the Lucero family. She was the matriarch, and she will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to know and love her. Grace enjoyed working in the garden, spending time with her family, taking care of her grandchildren, watching sports, going to the casino, and having a cold one.

Grace was an amazing daughter. She took care of her mother, Rosana, for an extent of 20 years after her father, Pedro, passed away. Grandma Rosana came to live with Grace and Neto in 1972 at their home in Santa Fe. Grandma Rosana went everywhere with us and on all our summer vacations. Grace loved her dad, Pedro. When she was a young girl, she went everywhere with him. He was very protective of her. Grace finally was able to move to Santa Fe and begin working with the state. He was very proud of her when she bought him a new 1960 Ford truck.

My mom married the love of her life Ernesto (Neto) Ruiz at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi in 1967. They celebrated 58 years of marriage on July 15, 2025. Grace and Neto spent all their time together. They loved gambling, watching sports, especially the NFL football season, going to the racetrack, going to the casino, and attending family reunions. All while enjoying a beer. One of their fondest memories together was driving their Pontiac to the capital of Mexico for their honeymoon.

Grace was an extraordinarily strong woman. She battled cancer five times in her life starting at age 55. She overcame all but the last. She never complained. She was the strongest and bravest woman. Grace had an unwavering strong catholic faith. She always told us how blessed she was to have been able to attend St Joseph's College, where she spent a considerable time with the catholic sisters and how she was treated very well. She prayed and slept with her rosary every night. She prayed throughout the day. She had relics and pictures of Jesus, Virgin Mary, Guadalupe, and many saints surrounding her throughout her house.

Grace embraced her family with so much love and care. She took care of all of us at one time or another. She raised her daughters (Rosana and Tina), her grandchildren (Nicholas (Niko), Izaiah, Sierra and Elijah). She looked over her nephews, nieces, and even the neighbors. She was a wonderful cook, and we will miss her biscochitos, tortillas, red chile and beans. She was always smiling and had good things to say about everyone. Grace is irreplaceable. There will be a void that cannot be filled. Our family will miss her immensely and she will remain in our heart forever.

She is survived by her loving and devoted husband Ernesto (Neto) Ruiz, her daughters, Rosana Rodriguez (Jared), Tina Ruiz (Ron Apodaca) and her grandchildren, Nicholas (Niko) Ruiz, Izaiah Apodaca, Sierra Rodriguez, Elijah Apodaca; nieces and nephews: Angie Huerta (Freddy), Junior Silva (Debbie), Bertha Martinez (Donald), Ross Rivera (Kristie), Martha Sindelair (Chuck), Cres Archuleta (Gail), Bertina Rivas (Eppie), Rita Jaramillo (Karl), Lenny Lucero (Liz), Bernice Archuleta (Paul), Henry Lucero (Nancy), Tino Lucero (Sidney), Robert Lucero, Marie Lucero, Benny Dale Lucero (Debbie), Ruth Ruiz, Elias Jr. Ruiz (Sandra) Sarah Morelos (Freddy); Charlie Ruiz (Marlene); extended family Alvie and Valentine Jr. Lucero, Miguel Gallegos (Laura); and numerous grand nieces, grand nephews, as well as many friends and neighbors.

A viewing is scheduled to take place from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on August 21, 2025, at Rivera Family Funerals, Cremations & Memorial Gardens, 417 Rodeo Rd.

A rosary and mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, 1301 Osage Avenue on Friday August 22, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. A graveside service will be held at the Rivera Family Funeral, Cremations & Memorial Gardens, 417 Rodeo Rd.