Charlotte P. Ruiz, age 81, of Metairie, LA passed away on Wednesday, August 24, 2022. She is preceded in death by her parents, the late Charles D. Pottinger and Olivette Nault Pottinger, her husband of 55 years, Alan Ambrose Ruiz, her great-grandchild, her brother, Charles E. "Gene" Pottinger, and her niece Jacqueline A. "Jackie" Sleght. She is survived by her three children, Carmen Renee Ruiz, Cynthia Ruiz Hanning (Dana, deceased), and Alan Wayne Ruiz, three grandchildren, Terri Sercovich (Jonathan), Kathryn Bonvillian (Dennis), and Christopher Sercovich (Carly), six great-grandchildren and one expected great-grandchild, her brother Harry Pottinger and her sister Mary P. Sleght, along with numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Charlotte was born in Fort Myers, FL, and grew up in Winterhaven, FL as a youth she was an accomplished swimmer in high school. After graduation, she went to St. Vincent's Nursing School in Jacksonville, FL. Upon graduating, she was sent to New Orleans to learn open heart surgeries with John Ochsner at Ochsner Hospital. She learned to love New Orleans while she was here and decided to stay. She went on to become a Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist after studying at Charity Hospital School of Anesthesia. She retired after 36 years of devoted nursing at Ochsner Hospital.
Charlotte was an active parishioner and former President and Co-President of the St. Clement of Rome Guild. She volunteered her time as a committee member for Meals for the Sick and was also Chairman of the Welcoming Committee of the St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church. She also worked tirelessly in many community organizations which include, Board member of Jefferson Beautification, Inc., Secretary of Civic League of East Jefferson, past President of the Pelican State Pachyderm Club, member of East Jefferson Republican Women’s Club, Associate member of Metro RWC, member of Louisiana Federation of Republican Women, Republican State Central Committee member. She also worked in and supported dozens of Republican campaigns over the years. Charlotte also loved helping children in her professional career, she volunteered her time traveling to South America with other medical professionals to perform life-altering humanitarian surgeries to help the less fortunate. She also volunteered her time as a member of Dawn Busters of Kiwanis, helping children in Jefferson Parish.
Visitation with the family will be at St. Clement of Rome Catholic Church, 4317 Richland Avenue, Metairie, LA on Wednesday, August 31, 2022, from 11:00 am - 12:30 pm, the Mass of Christian Burial service will begin at 12:30 pm. Interment will immediately follow at Lake Lawn Memorial Park and Mausoleum, 5454 Pontchartrain Blvd., New Orleans, LA. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in her honor to St. Clement of Rome Church, Dawn Busters Kiwanis, and Jefferson Parish SPCA.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.LeitzEaganFuneralHome.com for the Ruiz family.
