Maria Teresa Ruiz

January 16, 1926 – January 29, 2025

Maria "Mary" Teresa Ruiz was born January 16, 1926 into the Romo family, the first of 4 children born and raised in Tucson.  After graduating from Tucson High School, she married Macario "Mac" Ruiz on September 5, 1949, and together raised 3 children.

Mary loved to dance to the music of the Benny Goodman and Lawrence Welk era and loved listening to Mariachi music. She was a long standing member of Club Arco Iris, a social and philanthropic club. A devout Catholic, she enjoyed praying the Rosary with her neighborhood prayer group each day during the month of May.

She worked for a local insurance firm over 20 years, then took employment with and retired from the City of Tucson Human Resources Department as a Records Clerk. Mary continued her service to the community volunteering at St. Mary's Hospital receiving and directing visitors at the ICU reception desk. She baked numerous pineapple upside down cakes (her favorite) and crocheted hundreds of crafts to raise funds for the hospital through the St. Mary's Auxiliary Thrift Store.  Her energy was immense and her demeanor humble.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesus and Teresa Romo, her husband Macario "Mac" Ruiz, her brother Joe Romo and sister Betty Romo.  She is survived by her sisters Molly and Antoinette Romo, her children David (Midge) Ruiz, Mack (Leticia) Ruiz and Suzanne (Joe) Machain, and her grandchildren Erin (Danny) Clinton, Megan (Christian) Manning, Cameron (Cynthia) Ruiz, Mack (Trisha) Ruiz, Wesley (Diana) Ruiz, Jade Ruiz, Leticia (Camilo) Velasco, Teresa Ruiz, Shana (Sylvester) Lewis, Kris (Melissa) Machain, and Kandice (Matt) Tiggas. She leaves behind 20 great grandchildren and one great-great grandchild with a second expected in May.

She was loved by all, and she generously and graciously loved and cared for all.  She will be deeply missed.