Hortensia Valdez Ruiz

Rancho Viejo, Texas Hortensia Valdez Ruiz entered into eternal rest on Friday, May 16 2025 at Valley Regional Hospital. She was 92 years old. Hortensia a retired teacher, served the children of Cromack Elementary for thirty seven years alongside her colleagues: Anita Kowalski, Tomasa Chavez, Lorraine Castro, Ninfa Gonzalez, and Benilda Cervantes. Hortensia and her beloved sister, Rachel Valdez Manautou, attended Texas Women’s University in Denton, Texas. God and family were central to Hortensia’s life. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will walk and not be faint” Isaiah 40:31 depicts Hortensia’s relentless belief in the power of love. Her Catholic faith and her large extended, loving family filled her days. She enjoyed musicals, operas and movies; her son, Peter F. Ruiz, former Director of the Arts and Entertainment at the University of Texas shares the same appreciation of the Arts. Hortensia spent her summers reading and her daughter, Ninfa V. Garcia, Ed.D. pursued education and served the BISD, as well. Pablo Ruiz, Hortensia’s youngest son, served the Catholic Diocese in numerous roles and pursued politics employed by the late Rep.Rene O. Oliveira, Hon. Ben Neece and Tony Zavaletta. Angeles Garcia Cassin (Shaun), Hortensia’s only grandchild attended an all women’s college, Wellesley, like Hortencia, and earned a Doctor of Jurisprudence from the University of Houston. Hortensia’s legacy includes Eliana Garcia Cassin and Alden Garcia Cassin, her rambunctious and delightful great grandchildren.

Preceding in death are Hortensia’s loving parents, Pedro Valdez and Hortensia Barrios Valdez, her beloved aunts, J.B. Garza, Maria Del Refugio Barrios, Amalia Barrios. Mauro Fernando Ruiz, her husband, preceded her in death and her loving siblings: Fred G. Thompson, Pete Valdez, Veronica Garza, Rachel Manautou, and Norma Tims. Hortensia is survived by her sister, Celina Martinez, Hortensia’s children and their siblings, Peter F. Ruiz, Ninfa Garcia, Pablo Ruiz, Mauro F. Ruiz and Max Ruiz, a granddaughter, Angeles Garcia Cassin (Shaun) and Ellie and Ollie, her great grandchildren.

The Ruiz family would like to thank Valley Regional Medical Center, Ninfa Ruiz Diaz, Dr. Eric Valle, Patricia Younger Cocca and Dan Cocca, Captain Russell K. Robinson, Judge Leonel Alejandro and Chris Alejandro, Marshall and Lillian Cortinas, Alfonso and Mussette Salazar, Ms. Janie Carson, and all of our family, neighbors and friends. Please make donations to the Children’s Museum of Brownsville in lieu of flowers.

A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, May 27^th, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at Our Heavenly Father Catholic Church in Olmito, TX. Services conclude at the end of the mass.

Services are under the guidance of Sunset Memorial Funeral Home, Crematory & Flower Shop. 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. (956) 350-8485