Precilla B. Ruiz

Precilla was born on July 23, 1931, in Ilfeld, New Mexico and passed away peacefully at home on February 10, 2024, in Denver, Colorado. She was preceded in death by her husband, Luciano Ruiz, her daughter Marylou Brewer, her parents and her brother and sister. Precilla is survived by her children James Ruiz, Helen Gonzales (Sam), Ruth Cordova (Leonard), Lori Hildebrandt (Gary); seven grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Precilla grew up in an adobe house in Ilfeld New Mexico. Even as a child she worked hard chopping wood, hauling water from the river and learning how to cook traditional New Mexican food which was a big part of our lives. She loved baseball and was better than most of the boys in the village. She was also in a band with family. Her brother played the guitar and she and her cousin sang. That is until one day she got mad at her brother and smashed his guitar.

Mom lived with dementia for 7 long years. She was bedridden for 5 of these years. It hurt terribly to see her in bed because before this unrelenting disease took over, she never stopped. She climbed fences to pull weeds, stood in the kitchen sink to paint the ceiling and through all of this she cooked, cleaned, did laundry and worked graveyard shifts to be home to get her kids ready for school.

Our mother’s spirit, faith, strength, and spunk never wavered. She smiled, made faces, laughed., and said “OH” when we walked in her room. She even tried punching us a few times (especially Lori). Her face always lit up when James got home. And even when she was sleeping most of the day, she would wake up for him. She loved Lori and Ruth’s daily prayers but closed her eyes when Helen sang to her.

Mom’s greatest love and source of joy was family. She looked forward to our weekly gatherings and adored her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Though our hearts are broken, we know that mom is at peace and free from pain. We will move forward as a family with the love and values she taught us and will always hold her in our hearts.

Services will be held on Friday, February 23, 2024, at 10:30 AM at Holy Cross Catholic Church – 9371 Wigham Street, Thornton, Colorado 80229. A brief internment service will immediately follow at Olinger-Highland Mortuary – 10201 Grant Street, Thornton Colorado 80229. After the internment service, we invite you back to Holy Cross Catholic Church for a luncheon.