Ruth Tuazon Ferrer

“Mama Ruth”

August 30, 1933 – May 9, 2016

Ruth Ferrer — a loving mother, grandmother and great-grandmother — went to heaven on Monday, May 9, 2016, 11:55pm in Modesto, California.

Ruth touched and blessed many lives beyond her own immediate family. She was a faithful, kind, compassionate, and vibrant woman of God.

Ruth was born in Bacolor, Pampanga in the Philippines. On August 26, 1951, she married Rogelio Dizon Ferrer, Sr. in a chapel in Manila, Philippines. Together they raised seven children — Alan, Jun, Cynthia, Lilibeth, Romel, Edgar and Christina.

Ruth migrated from the Philippines to the United States on Dec. 16, 1990. Ruth also lived in Cedar Grove, New Jersey and Okinawa, Japan before moving to the Washington, DC area in 1999. In 2012, she relocated permanently to Modesto.

In 1996 Ruth became an American citizen. Ruth was an impeccable homemaker, taking great pride to keep her home tidy. While in New Jersey, Ruth worked as a cashier for her nephew. Ruth loved to cook meals for her family. Her specialties were Filipino dishes like caldereta, lumpia, pancit and kare-kare. She was very fashionable and enjoyed dressing up for church and events out. She loved shopping at outlet malls and visiting sites around Washington DC and California.

Ruth had a close relationship with God and was a devout Christian. Everyday she prayed, read her Bible and loved singing and listening to praise and worship songs. She attended bible study meetings and was a key contributor to spiritual discussions. Those close to her fondly called her “The Oracle” for her superior wisdom. While in Okinawa, Japan, she formed lifelong bonds and friendships and became “Mama Ruth” to many. She was an influential elder at the bible study group at Kadena Community Church. She became a second mother to many. She was very wise and had the ability to make others feel special. Ruth is also fondly remembered by the people she touched at Jesus Is Lord Church and New Hope Church in Northern Virginia. Ruth had an infectious laugh and had a smile that could light up a room. She was warm and caring, and loved her family dearly.

Ruth had a stroke the day after Mother’s Day. She was surrounded with love and prayers in her final hours as family and friends and the caregivers at Doctors Medical Center watched over her. Survivors include: Children: Alan Ferrer, Jun Ferrer with wife Nena Ferrer, Cynthia Ferrer Welch with husband Roger Welch, Lilibeth Ferrer, Romel Ferrer with wife Marissa, Edgar Ferrer with wife Rosemarie Ferrer, and Christina Ferrer Santos. Grandchildren: Carlo Ferrer, Paula Ferrer, Pamela Ferrer, Christine Joy Ferrer, Ann Ferrer-Yao, Anton Ferrer, Andrew Welch, Kylie Welch, Cypria Sagliocco, Jake Ferrer, Franco Ferrer, Francesca Ferrer, Frentzen Ferrer, Christan Santos, and Ysabella Santos. Great-grandchildren: Macy Ferrer, Kyler Yao, Luke Yao, and Soleil Pasion-Welch. Ruth also leaves behind many other wonderful friends and loving family members.

A Memorial Service and Remembrance of Ruth’s life will be held Saturday, May 21 at 1p.m. at Lakewood Funeral Home in the Riverside Chapel, 900 Santa Fe Avenue, Hughson, California.

Ruth battled many health issues, specifically high blood pressure, for much of her life. She survived three heart attacks, and after her third she was able to recover enough to enjoy the last three months of her life. With the help of her youngest daughter, Christina, she changed her diet and lifestyle so that she could prepare for a possible open-heart surgery as only 16% of her heart was functioning. Ruth spent her final days enjoying time with her family for one of her best Mother’s Day weekends ever. She suffered a massive stroke the day after Mother’s Day. Ruth's wish was to be able to donate to the American Heart Association to continue its mission to educate heart health sufferers on prevention, proper nutrition and exercise. Help us contribute in Ruth's name at www.youcaring.com/mamaruth

ONLINE DONATION: Please use www.youcaring.com/mamaruth to send your support. Sympathy donations will go directly towards her Memorial Service account and donation to the American Heart Association charity in her name to educate more people on heart disease prevention especially since our Mom died of the most massive stroke a person can ever have according to her doctor.