Luz Maria Ruiz (née Serrano), age 90, of Charlottesville, Virginia died on October 22, 2022.
Luz Maria was born June 17, 1932 in New York, New York. Her parents Manuel and Braulia Serrano preceded her in death as did
her brothers, Victor Manuel and Ralph Serrano.
Luz Maria grew up in Manhattan and the Bronx. She was a talented student and artist and as such, was accepted into the High
School of Music and Art in New York City where she further ignited her great love for art. She subsequently completed a degree in
commercial art from the Institute ofApplied Arts and Sciences -SUNY. Her first job out of college was with Bell Labs during its
heyday of innovation and discovery where she was one of a few female employees in the engineering department.At Bell Labs she
illustrated pictures for the instructions used for many of the inventions that ushered in the modern age of electronics and
communications. She met her husband-to-be in 1952, and he was so smitten he asked for her hand on the second date. What
followed was a seventy-year marriage remarkable to all for the devotion they shared. Once her children were grown, Luz Maria
renewed her education and completed a Bachelor of Science at the State University of NewYork. She worked for Sperry Marine
both on Long Island and in Charlottesville retiring in 1990. Luz Maria had a deep love for her grandchildren which they, in turn,
shared with her. Many tears were shed by a young grandchild when it came time to leave Grandma’s house. She was a charter
member of “The Spanish Club” of Charlottesville, which was a social group of women who met over coffee for conversation and
camaraderie ‘en Español’. From that group many deep friendships were formed. Throughout her life she was a lover of beauty in
all its forms. She was a passionate gardener, avid reader of literature (in English and Spanish) and devotee of opera as well as
classical and Latin music. Second to her husband, her great love was painting. Luz Maria was a lifelong artist and she painted even
well into the illness that eventually ended her life. We cherish her many art works depicting home, family, her travels and
landscapes of Charlottesville, her longtime home.
She is survived by her husband, Hector Ruiz who resides in Charlottesville with their daughter Mary Anne Pace (Michael). She is
also survived by her sons: Dr. Frank Ruiz (Regina Naegele) of Cupertino, California; Paul Ruiz (Katie) of Dubuque, Iowa; a
brother: George Serrano of New York, New York; her ten grandchildren: Nicholas, Zachary, Dominique, Mitchell, Nathan, Natalie,
Juliana, Brendan, Sara and Sam; and one great granddaughter: Nora.
The family is grateful to Legacy Hospice for their care and compassion.
Afuneral mass will be held at St. ThomasAquinas on Friday, October 28, 2022 at 2 p.m. The family will receive friends one hour
prior to the funeral mass for a visitation.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that memorial contributions be made to St. ThomasAquinas University Parish, 401 Alderman Rd,
Charlottesville, VA22903.
Hilli & Wood Funeral Service