RUTH MURRIETA MARTINEZ

July 3, 1936 - June 15, 2021

Ruth Lopez Murrieta was born July 3, 1936, in Stanton, California to Miguel and Eduvijen. She was met at Heaven’s gate on June 15, 2021, by her son Richard (Dickie) her granddaughter Brittany, and many of her brothers and sisters who have been waiting for Ruth to join them. Ruth was one of 14 children and from a very early age it was destined that Ruth was put on this earth to be a caregiver and a guardian of others. Very early on, Ruth was put into a position to take on the responsibility of helping raise her brothers and sisters. She was her mother’s daughter, but she was also her protector. As early as five years old Ruth would take on the responsibility of watching her brothers and sisters while her mother was trying to provide for the family. Ruth’s destiny was chosen for her by God because he knew of her capacity for grace, her strength of guidance, and her courage in the face of challenge. Ruth wanted to make sure all the kids stayed together, so she was able to take some of the older children to be with her and her sister Molly, her brother Raymond and brother Bert, all helped with the younger kids so they could all stay together and avoid foster care. They all helped to keep the family together, but it was Ruth who was the rock in the family and the strength that everyone clung to. Ruth promised her mom she would love her family like her mother did and she had a constant presence in all their lives and kept everyone together. She loved with a mother’s love to all her brothers and sisters. In times of trouble, she was there to soften the blow, in times of joy, the celebrations were made sweeter because Ruth was with us, and in times of grief, she would bring all of us comfort and lighten our burden. As Ruth started getting older, she was always seeking something that would fill her heart and be the recipient of all the grace she still had left to give. She heard there was a great need for orphanages in Mexico so she focused her sites on doing whatever she could to bring some joy and comfort to orphaned children in Mexico. She did what she could to get some orphanages off the ground and then made an annual pilgrimage to Mexico to visit the orphanage there. She would raise money by sewing, or making tamales, or whatever she could so she would not go empty handed. She would take a different group of kids to Costco and buy them tennis shoes so they would have something to wear on their feet. She adopted these children as her grandchildren, and they would call her Nana Ruth. Many of these children have grown and were still in contact with Ruth up until she died. That spirit of giving and providing the cloak of security for those around never left Ruth. Ruth’s children, Vicky, Valerie, and Mike all said that Mom taught us the value of hard work and generosity. She always said that if you are giving with your heart, that is all that matters. Ruth always wanted to be close to her children and her grandchildren so she would pick up and move across the country, if necessary, just so she could always be near her family. The unwavering support that Ruth provided for her family during the challenging times was as special as the joy she was able to share with them during the good times. Ruth loved her grandchildren fiercely. The girls always had homemade dresses for every holiday, and all of them were the beneficiaries of Ruth’s great cooking. She taught all of them to cook and make tortillas and anything else she could pass on to them. She tried to instill in them the values she taught her siblings and her own children so that they would be successful as adults. The passage below truly captures the spirit that lived within Ruth and that she passed on to everyone she met: In the midst of the seasons of life, too often in the months of hard winter comes an extraordinary season of giving, of care-giving, of giving care, of giving and giving, the 24/7 kind of giving–giving until exhaustion overwhelms love, giving until a weariness overshadows the spirit–then, finding that the heart has even more to give because of a belief in duty and love, because of promises and prayers. Blessed are these caregivers. Surely, they will be given uncommon strength through the touch of an angel’s wing. Blessed are the caregivers, for they will inherit the gentle grace of God. Blessed are these caregivers and bless those who receive their care and love. Ruth knew no bounds in her service to others and the grace she shared in our lives. Ruth now sits with the Lord and basks in the glory of the compassion and care that she instilled in all of us that has filled our hearts and blanketed our souls. Ruth will be laid to rest on Friday July 16, 2021 at Montecito Memorial Park 3520 E Washington St. Colton, Ca 92324 at 9:30. If you wish to order flowers, Oak Valley Florist 951.769.5973. Ruth is survived by her loving family: Children, Vicky (Randy) Davis, Valerie (Renee Van Tiem) Valenzuela, Mike Perea, Siblings, Henry Murrieta, Margaret Flores, Mary Puente, Sylvia Trelatsky, Grandchildren, Lauren (Cody) Mindling, Ryan (Amanda) Valenzuela, Joelle Valenzuela, Amanda Perea, Pauline Perea, Nicole Bernice Perea, Audrey Ramirez, her Great Grandchildren, along with other family and friends who will miss her dearly. Ruth was met at the gates of Heaven by her Parents, Miguel Murrieta and Eduvijen Lopez, Siblings, Mollie Valencia, Raymond Murrieta, Norbert Murrieta, John Murrieta, Henry Murrieta, Alice Honesto, Angie Parra, Jesse Murrieta, Frank Murrieta, Rachel Hernandez, Raymond Murrieta, Son, Richard Perea, and Granddaughter, Brittany Davis Saavedra. The aforementioned preceded Ruth in death. Condolences for the family can be sent through our website.