Memorial Service: Friday, 11/2/2018, at 2pm at W.E. Lusain Funeral Home, 629 Goldwire Way SW, Birmingham, AL 35211.
Laura Jean Ruiz, 61, passed away on October 27, 2018, surrounded by loving family, after a lengthy and courageously fought battle from an illness. Laura was born to Angel and Mary Hurtado on February 18, 1957 in Lorain, Ohio.
Laura graduated from Lorain Catholic High School and formerly served as President of the Mexican Mutual Society in Lorain. She began an over 30-year, dedicated career as a teacher for the Head Start Program at the Lorain County Community Action Agency.
In 2003, Laura moved to Center Point, Alabama. She achieved a Degree in Child Development/Early Childhood Education as a graduate of Lawson State Community College. Laura continued her devotion for teaching children as a teacher for the Head Start Program at The Community Action Agency for Jefferson County.
Laura was strong-willed, a beautiful spirit, and always had a noticeable presence. She livened the room with her sense of humor and had the ability to become everyone’s “Mom”. Laura loved cooking, baking, the holidays, family traditions, and enjoyed playing Bingo.
Left to cherish her memory and continue her legacy are her devoted husband of 30 years, Efrain M. Ruiz Sr; Six children: Jennifer (Michael) Volpe, Lucia (Valente) Flores, Victoria Ruiz, Angel Ruiz, Efrain Jr (Alexandra) Ruiz and Benjamin (Ayana) Ruiz; Nine grandchildren: Aviana Ruiz, Joshua Flores, Jacob Flores, Angel Ruiz Jr, Isabella Volpe, Gabriel Ruiz, Luke Volpe, Efrain Ruiz III, and Adreunna Ruiz; Three sisters: Andrea Hurtado, Mary Hurtado, and Angela (Ricardo) Padron.
Laura has reunited with her parents, Angel and Mary Hurtado, in heaven. As a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, teacher, friend, and confidant, Laura made the world a better place, one relationship at a time. Thank you, Laura, for everything.
Tributes
Leave a tributeTe amare por siempre mi amigo
Kenthia Mccleod
We truly had the greatest Sister you took good care of us and showed us many good things in life
You went without saying goodbye but I know you never like goodbyes i love you dearly and I will often think of you if I had one more chance to be around you how I would never stop talking and laughing
We had many good times on Denver Ave and at the Mexican Mutual and our cook outs
You never be forgotten my dear Sister Laura I love you with all my heart
Love your sister Annie
Where do I start...Words can’t describe how much you are going to be missed. Who are we without our big sister...There is another part of my heart that went up to heaven 10/27/18
I sit here & think of all the great memories of us 4 sisters growing up on Denver Ave...How responsible you were taking care of us when we were kids...How I always wanted to be with you when mommy went to bingo because you made me feel safe & when I would cry you would comfort me and say don’t cry mommy will be back....My heart is broke again
Stephanie Ganobcsik Dalton
Leave a Tribute
Te amare por siempre mi amigo
Kenthia Mccleod
We truly had the greatest Sister you took good care of us and showed us many good things in life
You went without saying goodbye but I know you never like goodbyes i love you dearly and I will often think of you if I had one more chance to be around you how I would never stop talking and laughing
We had many good times on Denver Ave and at the Mexican Mutual and our cook outs
You never be forgotten my dear Sister Laura I love you with all my heart
Titi Laura, I can’t believe you’re gone. I wish there was more time, more memories. I promise to cherish the ones I have. I could sit and listen to you and all of your sisters talk and reminisce on your childhood, or all the crazy experiences y’all had, for hours. I loved when y’all would just laugh endlessly. Your cooking was amazing. Your rice was my favorite ❤️ I find peace in knowing you are no longer suffering and with Grandma and Grandpa. I know they’ve missed you and needed you beside them. Another angel to watch over our family.
You were so loved and it shows. You touched so many peoples lives and I know because of that your spirit will live forever.
Come see me sometime in my dreams. I’d love to hear your voice one more time. Love you always,
Amanda
My dearest Aunt Laura
How much I miss you since 2014 that last I saw you. Many years ago I had memories with you and your children (my cousins). I never forget every time when I visited you and you always ask me to do your head & leg massages so I was always willing to do it for you to make you feel better. I miss your Mexican dishes and any sweet cake & cookie was so delicious I miss that. You are now in heaven. I miss you aunt Laura. You are in my heart and memories forever.
My Aunt Laura ❤️
Theres so much I have to say about my aunt Laura!! She was one the first people to show me that big is beautiful!! There's more to a person than their looks!!! She always always knew how to make someone laugh!! I use to volunteer in her headstart class and she would tell me all these funny stories of all the crazy things her and my mom and my other aunt's did when they were growing up.. she taught me so much about our Mexican heritage & how important it was to be proud of who we were and where we came from & her food AMAZING! I'd give anything to EAT her tostada's again..you will be greatly missed titi Laura but your with Grandma & Grandpa now!! Where you are pain free and don't have to suffer anymore!! I love you so much and save a spot in heaven for me love always & forever your mexibilly neice!! You made that term up by the way you said to me what are you running under in the international pagent as Mexi-Billie hahahah