Juanita Ruiz Rodriguez

Juanita Ruiz-Rodriguez was born Juana Ruiz on June 2nd, 1932, in Las Marias, Puerto Rico. She was born to the late Dolores Rodriguez-Rodriguez and late Juan Ruiz-Palao; raised by her paternal grandmother-by-marriage, the late Nicolasa Ruiz, and her biological grandfather the late Manuel Ruiz. She grew up on a large Finca farmland of sugarcane and coffee beans.

In her late teens, she caught the eye of a construction excavator- and her future husband- the late Humberto Rodriguez-Santos (1919-1990). It was love at first sight for Humberto, who was attracted to Juanita’s long dark hair and witty humor. Juanita and Humberto were married for 38 years and enjoyed their nine children; Amelia (1952), Humberto Jr. (1953), Susana (1955), Myra Antonia (1957-2010), Elena (1960), Judith (1962), Jennie Ann (1963), Samuel Augustine(1964) and Dianna Luz 1969).

Juanita raised her family as devout Catholics on the southwest side of Chicago and attended Presentation Parish for 15+ years. With the help of her dear friend Rosemary, Juanita’s dream came true in 1972 when she and her husband bought a house on Chicago’s north side in the DePaul area. The family’s children continued their religious sacraments at St. Bonaventure Parish and attended Prescott the neighborhood school.

With her children grown and her youngest child off to college, Juanita, with her husband, decided to move back to Puerto Rico. They lived there happily for several years before Humberto fell ill and passed away in September of 1990. Juanita traveled to the states and back visiting her children and inviting friends over to the island. She enjoyed every moment in the home she and her late husband purchased in Arroyo, Puerto Rico, and was sad when she had to leave in December of 2005 due to her declining health. Juanita moved in with her daughter Judith and lived in Campbell, California, until her death.

Juanita was genuinely a clever woman, quick on her feet, and a quicker tongue to match. These traits, combined with secretarial classes, gave her an edge up in her time. However, having only received schooling up to the 9th grade, Juanita truly wanted her children and grandchildren to go further with their education than she did because she knew this would better position them for success. A note to how intelligent Juanita was, she received her GED without ever attending any classes. And as a result, she later became a certified teacher’s assistant. Juanita participated in the PTA (Parent Teachers Association), and was quite involved in her community and politics, the latter by volunteering to work at the election polls for many years in Wrightwood Park. She even learned how to drive at the age of 55, which goes to show you, that you can never be too old to learn something new.

One of the more well-known facts about Juanita is that she was a rather remarkable seamstress. Over the years, she created clothes and trinkets for all of her children and grandchildren and could crochet her way around just about anyone. Juanita also enjoyed cooking. especially recipes from her beloved Puerto Rico. She also loved to dance and sing in the kitchen while cooking. She often welcomed her children’s friends to her home and made sure that no one left the table hungry, always making enough to feed all who came by the house.

Juanita was also a lover of animals, a trait that many of her children and grandchildren adopted. She loved cats, birds, dogs, and could always be seen saving some little furry friend.

Juanita loved all of her grandchildren and was happy that she was able to care for many of them during their early years. Her 15 grandchildren include Davina G Morgan, Octavus Morgan Jr., Lydia N Morgan, Pedro J Guzman, Andres H Rodriguez, Susette Rodriguez-Stewart, Alexia J Lloyd, Alyssia A Lloyd-Escobar, Leslie A Lloyd-Rodriguez, Savannah V Gonzalez, Josue H Rodriguez-Gonzalez, Dominique N Rodriguez, Lisette Rodriguez, Karena F Rodriguez, Liliana H Rodriguez-Benedetto, as well as 12 great-grandchildren.

If you were to ask people to describe Juanita, there would be a myriad of responses. Some would say she was a dancer, a singer, a great domino player, or an artisan. She absolutely loved Marc Anthony, or that her cooking could make you feel like you’ve come home when you didn’t know you were gone. You could say that she was funny, and quick-witted, or that she was too lucky considering how many times she’s won at dominoes. Juanita is all of those things and more;

She will be greatly missed and adored by those she left behind and remembered for all that she sacrificed for the benefit of her family and friends.