Ruth Q. Medrano

She was known by many names. Besides Ruth, she was known as Mom, Grandma, Grandma Grandma, Grandma Ruth, Cuca, Cookie, and our personal favorite and how our Grandpa will always remember her, Chiquita.

She married Grandpa James on May 11, 1952, celebrating 71 years of marriage. During that union they had 5 children: Anita, Theresa, Daniel, Susan, and Patricia, 19 grandchildren, 47 great-grandchildren, and 1 great-great grandchild.

Growing up we looked up to our Grandma. She worked all day and still had the energy to come home from work and make dinner for us. She made sure to encourage us, love us, be there for us, take care of us, do pickups and drop offs from school, take the grandkids to sports practice and games. She did it all without ever complaining. Because to her, family came first. Whether you were in her life, past or present, she loved you all.

She loved watching General Hospital and listening to us talk and laugh, sometimes say a bad word or two, and found joy in having family around. She made the best scrambled flat eggs, French toast, rice, potato salad, and mostly everything else she made was delicious.

Grandma took classes to learn how to make cakes so she could make a cake for us on our birthdays. We remember she made a Cabbage Patch Kid cake that looked like the doll was sitting on the table and Big Bird mini cakes for one of our brothers because he loved Big Bird. She made sure to always have Christmas cookies for us on Christmas. Because of her, we gathered every year to make tamales for our family. Those are some of the precious memories we will forever hold in our hearts.

We could go on about everything she did for all of us and how she accepted us as is. We know she is listening and smiling knowing we are here for her and making her final days before being laid to rest peaceful. Let us hold onto the memories we’ve made with her and the lessons she has taught us. Let us continue to spread the love she created within our family. Though she may have left this world, her spirit will forever remain in our hearts.

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal; love leaves a memory no one can steal.”