Rosie Gomez-Ruiz

Rosie Gomez-Ruiz passed away at the age of 94 in her home with her loved ones by her side on December 28, 2024. Rosie’s journey began on September 3, 1930, on Teague Ranch in Santa Paula, California, where she was born into a family that taught her the values of hard work, resilience, and independence. From an early age, Rosie demonstrated a drive that would shape her entire life. At Briggs Elementary, she was already a savvy entrepreneur. She would trade her homemade bean burritos at school and sell fresh milk, starting with a modest price of 5¢, but soon realized her market value and upped it to 25¢! Even as a child, Rosie knew how to seize an opportunity and make the most of it. As an adult, Rosie became known for her passion for yard sales. She had an eye for treasure, and with her sister, Lupe, they became an unstoppable duo, collaborating on sales that reached across Silverwheel and beyond. Their partnership was not just about business—it was about fun, family, and finding joy in the little things. Whether it was the thrill of the hunt for a bargain or the joy of spending time with her sister and friends, Rosie made every moment special.

What I believe we will remember most about Rosie is her warmth, her generosity, and her unshakeable spirit. She was a woman who knew how to live, and how to make life better for those around her. She was not just a mother, sister, aunt, and friend—she was a force of nature. And for those of us lucky enough to have known her, we were blessed by her kindness, her laughter, and the love she shared with us every day. Though Rosie is no longer with us, her legacy remains in the stories we tell, the lessons she taught us, and the countless ways she touched our lives. We will carry her memory with us always, and we know that her spirit lives on in each of us, just as it lives on in the work, the love, and the laughter she left behind.

Rosie is survived by her sister Lupe Gomez-Zavala, children Susie, Tony, and Johnny Ruiz, grandchildren Marianne and Matthew Ruiz-Parra, Kristen Ruiz, great-grandchildren Paul Godina, Ravyne Sweetwater, Robyne Redwater, Alikoi Parra, Talon Frederickson, Evolet Ruiz-Parra, Bailey Quell and great-great grandchildren; the numerous cats and dogs in the home including Mimi, her night nurse pup who stayed with her till the very end, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She is preceded in death by her parents Antonio and Augustina Gomez, siblings Margarito(Nito), Carlos(Chuck), Tony(Abbott), Eugene, and Delia-Cuevas Gomez along with her ex husband Tony C. Ruiz.