Esther Ruiz, 90, of Wethersfield, CT., was called home Sunday, July 3, 2016 to be with her Lord and Savior after a brief illness. Esther was born July 28, 1925 in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. Esther retired from New Britain General Hospital after twenty-three years as a Nurse’s Aide. She then volunteered at the Hospital for Special Care for ten years and also kept herself busy by providing transportation for those who needed it. Esther also volunteered at The Spanish Speaking Center in New Britain. She awoke very early on many Voting Days to check in the first voters at the polls, and worked for Companions and Homemakers. Until the day she passed on, she always identified herself as a caregiver and companion. Esther loved music, dancing, children, dogs, The New York Yankees, and making people laugh. She found solace by writing poetry for special people and events. Her collection of poems, in both English and Spanish, is available for anyone interested in obtaining it. Esther was a very independent woman and will be missed by anyone who crossed her path. The Rev. Dr. Maritza Angulo de Gonzalez remembers Sister Esther Ruiz as, “a founding member of Manantial de Gracia “Spring of Grace”, a bilingual church in West Hartford (formerly Iglesia Bautista Congregational of New Britain). In 2011 Esther was selected as the “Perla de Sabiduria”, a distinction given to a mother of the church who has been able to transform life struggles into Pearls of Wisdom to bless others. Her passion, her kindness, her sweetness, her courage and her dance are a legacy we will forever cherish.” Esther combined her love for God and music by bringing her own tambourine to worship every Sunday. She remained an active member of Spring of Grace Church even after she could no longer drive herself. Esther then insisted on one of her kids to drop her off for Sunday worship.
Esther leaves to mourn her loss her four children, daughter, Esther Cecilia Nieves and husband, Lorenzo of Berlin; her son C Ruiz and wife Gwen from Santa Fe, New Mexico; son Albert J. Ruiz and wife Eloise of Newington; son Richard Ruiz and wife Zoraida of Coventry; two grandsons, Lorenzo Nieves Jr. and Jesse Benjamin Ruiz, one great-grandson Antonio Benitez and step-grandson K’Anthoney Santiago. Although she loved her entire family, she always held a special place in her heart for her brother Tonio, his wife Len and their two children, Liz and Tony Figueroa. She also kept a special place in her heart for Dot Eagleton and her wonderful family, The Eagletons. Esther was predeceased by her mother Manuela Rivera and father Tiburcio Figueroa, all five of her siblings and a very special grand-daughter, Jennifer Nieves.
Esther is now in the care of the Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home in New Britain. Viewing hours will be held Saturday July 9, 2016 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home, 764 Farmington Ave., New Britain, CT. Directions to funeral home – I-84 east or west – exit 37 (Fienemann Rd) right off exit – one mile down on right.
Homegoing Celebration for Esther will be held Saturday at 11 a.m. from the Paul A. Shaker Funeral Home. Committal service and final resting place will be in Fairview Cemetery, 120 Smalley St., New Britain, CT. A repass is planned at The First Church Auditorium at 12 South Main St. West Hartford immediately following her burial. The Ruiz Family wish to thank the staff and residents from West Hartford Health and Rehabilitation who provided her with comfort and care these past few years. We also wish to acknowledge the staff on the sixth floor of the Conklin Building (CB6) at Hartford Hospital who did everything they could to keep her comfortable in her last moments with us. You are all truly a blessing. She lived a full life on her terms. Her journey is done and she will now be with her Lord and Savior, forever. To extend condolences to the Ruiz family or to share a memory of Esther, please visit shakerfuneralhome.com.
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