Maria R. Ruiz

Maria was born in Havana, Cuba on July 7, 1950. At age eleven, she left Cuba as one of many who came to be known as the “Pedro Pan” children. She then lived in Miami, FL with a foster care family for three years until her parents (who were both medical doctors) found a way to secretly leave Cuba, via passage to Mexico. The Ruiz family resided in Miami while gaining US citizenship and passing medical boards. In 1965, they moved to Orlando where her parents, Dr. Guillermo V. Ruiz was deputy chief Medical Examiner for Orange/Osceola County and her mother, Dr. Maria Rosario Casas Ruiz (“Charo”), worked for the Orange County Public Health Department. Both are predeceased.

Maria obtained her B.A. (1972), M.Ed. (1974), M.A. (1978), and Ph.D. (1982) at the University of Florida where she majored in Psychology and Behavior Analysis. She completed a Post-Doctoral Fellowship at The Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, MD. Maria was a Licensed Psychologist (1990-present) and she was employed at Rollins College in Winter Park from 1980 until her retirement earlier this year as Professor Emerita of Psychology.

During the course of her career at Rollins, Dr. Ruiz wore numerous hats. She was a frequent invited guest speaker to professional conferences both in the United States and abroad. She was a prolific writer and contributor to many professional journals. She was Owner and Clinical Director of Behavioral Associates of Central Florida, Visiting Professor at Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan, Mexico (1990), Department Chair at Rollins College (92-98), Chair and member of the Florida Behavior Analysis Peer Review Committee (1997-2005), and a prominent researcher and writer in the conceptual and applied field of behavior analysis. Her philosophy as a Radical Behaviorist and interest in extending this to feminist theory was also of great importance to her. She worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help create a master’s level program in Behavior Analysis and Clinical Science at Rollins College; now in its 2nd year. Her passion for teaching others both subject matter and analysis was an abiding ethical construct in her life. Her legacy continues in the students she mentored and whose lives she inspired to continue her work.

Maria’s loss is mourned by her cousin: Juan Fernando Casas, his wife Gladys and their daughters: Ana Maria, Victoria and Marisol, of West Palm Beach, as well as her cousin, Rosaura Casas, who resides in Sweden, and their families.

Maria leaves behind a Village of Friends, many whom she considered her family: including Donna Barentine who was her primary caregiver throughout her long battle against cancer, and “Maria’s Team” who also supported her through this difficult journey. Maria was well loved by many friends and colleagues; too numerous to mention here, but who also mourn her passing.

Dr. Ruiz’s services are being handled by Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Homes. A Gathering for friends and family will be held Friday, August 25 from 7-9 pm at Baldwin Fairchild Funeral Home, Ivanhoe Chapel, 301 NE Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL. A Funeral Mass will be held at noon Saturday, August 26 at Rollins College, Knowles Chapel, 1000 Holt Avenue, Winter Park, Florida. As spaces are limited on campus, parking is available on Lyman Avenue, across the street from Rollins in a parking garage. Interment will follow at Glen Haven Memorial Park, 2300 Temple Dr., Winter Park, FL. Memorial donations in her honor may be made to her favorite charity: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.