Judith Eileen Ruiz-Guerrero

Judith was born on June 20, 1956 and passed away January 4, 2011 peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family. Judith or Judy as she preferred was the youngest child of Earney and Connie Bennett. Judy grew up in Eureka attending local schools. Judy was married in 1975 to Bob Tatum and had 2 children, Bryan and Shane. She later married Robert Ruiz Guerrero in 1990 and had 2 additional children, Roberto Jesus and Andrea Marie. Judy despite being financially unstable was a very caring loving mother. She loved her children with everything she had. In 2001 Judy was diagnosed with a condition that should have ended her life, but with Judy's will to live and her fighting spirit she was able to not only work through that condition but survive even more challenging medical conditions as the years progressed. Finally, Judy arrived at a place where she was just to tired to continue. Judy faced all these challenges with hope and a positive attitude. It was this positive attitude and hope for the future that will sustain her surviving children. Judy is survived by her sister, Sharron Evenson and her husband Dennis, her brothers, Larry Duncan and Shawn Bennett and Shawn's wife Marquetta. Judy was preceded in death in death by her mother, Connie Bennett, her father, Earney Bennett and her son Shane Tatum. There will be a private family memorial in the future. Arrangements under the direction of Pierce Mortuary, Eureka, CA 707-442-3751, www.piercemortuarychapels.com.

Published in Eureka Times-Standard on January 21, 2011