Mary Irene Ruiz, 82, passed away peacefully on March 11, surrounded by her husband and children.

On the 61st wedding anniversary to her husband David Ruiz, she wrote on Facebook, “Who knew that a scrawny little girl from Earlimart, reading books from the library, dreaming of fantastic happenings in the world, would one day see them.”

As a Navy spouse, she left her hometown of Earlimart, CA, and traveled the West Coast early in David’s career. She then had the opportunity to meet the USS Shasta in port in Hong Kong in the 60’s. After David retired, his new job would take them on an adventure overseas to Naples, Italy, where they lived for four years. From there, she made trips to London to see the Phantom of the Opera, Germany to see the Glockenspiel, and Austria to see the Blue Danube. They were relocated to Connecticut, where she toured New York, Boston, DC, Philadelphia, and Rhode Island. After three years on the East Coast, they were stationed in Puerto Rico, watching for falling coconuts and crab crossings. But retirement was calling and it was time to return home to Oak Harbor, WA. Irene’s need for

adventure and travel did not stop simply because they retired. She never missed an opportunity to see family and would visit her children across the country. She made trips to Earlimart, Delano, Stockton and San Antonio for the Cortez, Saludado and Ruiz family gatherings.

Her lifelong dream was to travel to Japan and she made that trip in 2016. She always said that she was of Mexican descent but with an Asian soul. In Oak Harbor, she studied Sumi brush painting with Jo Finley and became an accomplished artist and sold her work at shows on Whidbey Island. Her enviable home-studio reflects all her talent as an artist in various mediums including stained glass, jewelry, sewing, and porcelain and oil painting. Her eye for color and fabrics also made her a beautiful quilter. Along the way, she made friends worldwide by being active with her lifelong passion for tennis. Later in Oak Harbor, she took up line dancing, tap dancing, and Tai Chi at the Senior Center. Her famous schedule included Monday Bowling, Wednesday Mahjong, Thursday Card Class at Frida’s, Friday Lunch Club, and the Officers’ Spouse’s Club. She was renowned for Christmas Tamales. In her Facebook post, Mary Irene said to her friends, “Thank you all for making me smile and being part of my life.”

Mary Irene was a dedicated and loving mother to five children, ten grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. She was the favorite Tia (aunt) of many nieces and nephews. She was so very proud of her children and treasured the family she created with her husband, David. And she never missed an opportunity to say, “I love you More.” She is survived by her husband David P. Ruiz, of Oak Harbor, WA; and her children: Tracey Ruiz (Tom Martz), of Novato, CA; Mary Irene Hafer (David), of Goshen, KY; David Ruiz, Jr. (Kristin), of Novato CA; Chris Ruiz (Melanie), of Seattle, WA; and Victoria Arellano (Eric), of San Antonio, TX. She was preceded in death by her parents Francisco E. and Beatrice Cortez of Earlimart, CA; her brother Frank Cortez, Jr. of Delano, CA; and her sister Margie Sotelo of Earlimart, CA.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Navy-Marine Corp Relief Society or St. Jude’s.