Cathrine F. Ruiz

Cathrine “Cathy” “Lina” Franco Ruiz 84 was born in Denver Colorado to Bernabe Franco and Natividad
Perez Franco on February 13th, 1936.

Cathy and Jess entered into marriage on October 7, 1956. They had an amazing journey. They had two
children, Ernest J Ruiz and Bernadine A Ruiz, Three Grandchildren Jennifer Romero (Adam Romero),
Jesica Klein (Timothy Klein), and Daniel Ruiz. And two great-grandchildren Christopher Romero and
Eric Romero.

She is survived by her brothers Aurelio (Lelo) Franco, and Vincent (Chente) (Hisako Yasukawa Jordan).
She is also survived by her sister-in-law J ody Franco, Juana Franco, Flora Mills (Ralph Mills), Ralph
Ruiz (Pauline Ruiz), Mary Greenwalt (Tom Greenwalt), Diomar Sanchez, Esperanza Ruiz, Mona Ruiz,
Connie Ruiz Pacheco.

She is joining in heaven her brothers Albert Razo (Lelay Razo), Margarito Franco, Stanley Franco, Joe
Franco, sister Georgia Vega (David Vega), Marcella Franco, Robert Ruiz (Mildred Ruiz), Cora R.
Sanchez, Manuel Ruiz, Adolph Ruiz (Josephine Ruiz), Nickolas Ruiz, Joseph Ruiz.

Lina grew up in North Denver. She sang in the church choir at Templo Gethsemane. Where Lina and
her family began their attendance in 1943. She also enjoyed playing the piano at church and at home.
This is where she and Jess met. He remembers her piggy tails that were always close to her mother’s
hands during service for a tug or two. They would always compete in games at church and come out the
winners. She was always so smart and bright. She attended North High school where she was the captain
volleyball of the team. Jess would go to all her games. She graduated with the class of 1955. After Jess
returned from the Marines corps service, they married on a Sunday morning October 7th, 1956. They
closed other services at other churches so the other congregations could join them for their wedding
ceremony. They remain married for the next 64 years with some amazing adventures along the way. She
went to college at CU in Boulder for 2 years, then CU Denver for 3 years.

Church and her community were always part of her life. In the 1950’s she participated in helping build
churches for the Spanish Assemblies of God with her Brother Maggie at the helm and Husband Jess hard
at work. She assisted in the effort with the fundraising, by selling their famous & amazing tamales

.
The beginning of her unbendable work ethic began in the sugar beet fields during her summer vacations
with the family in the early years.

After high school, she began as an office assistant at 1st Federal savings and loan. Her unbendable work
ethic propelled her upward to be the secretary for Malcolm Collier Sr, which was the president of 1st
Federal Savings & Loan.

She worked for the City and County of Denver as a clerk for district court for Judge Grabber. He would
have them over for catered dinners from time to time as well.

She loved to travel. Her most favorite trip was to Spain in the early ’80s. She loved exploring things like
the tunnels of Gibraltar. She loved to try new food. She was so adventurous. She liked that the people of
Spain bought their groceries fresh daily. They got off on the wrong exit in Spain and realized that their
plane was hijacked by terrorists right after they got off in the wrong city. Their lives were spared.

She was willing to explore technologies. She wanted to stay up to date with the latest technologies. She
had a home computer in the eighties. She used email and phones as soon as they came out.

When Jess retired, he tried to convince Lina to get into an RV become a snowbird, and travel. But she
wanted to stay close to her grandchildren. He thought it would be a great idea at the time. We might have
to buy him a house in Arizona.

She loved her baby grand piano. She would sing songs and play for hours. She loved playing your little
corritos, with her dogs Teddy, Tootsie, and Tita. Teddy would howl singing along with her for hours.
Lina even said Teddy would sing in key!

She would get in the kitchen and make some of the best food. She made the food for the workers as they
were building houses, churches, and apartment buildings. Like a big family coming together for her
community. Man, did she have the best tamales and OH her green chili, her peppery fried potatoes, were
to die for! Her breakfast in the mornings was amazing! Every Friday she would make tamales to raise
money to build the churches. They would make enough tamales for our uncle Ralph Mills to take upwards
of 50 dozen, at a time to sell at the Air force and grandpa Jess could take 15 dozen to sell at Gates Rubber
company. Those ladies worked! Even when Jesica was in elementary school her music teacher would ask
“when is your grandma gonna make her tamales again?”

Chama New Mexico, church retreats and conferences, they would enjoy being submerged in worshipping
and connecting with families from all over the Central Latin District of the Spanish Assemblies of God.
They would enjoy food, singing, fishing, and enjoying nature. She was a Sunday school teacher for many
decades. She was a children’s church leader at Templo Gethsemane. She worked with her sister Georgia
with the girl’s ministry missionettes for a decade.

When her grandkids were too smart for their own good... peeling dynamite chili with no gloves. Needless
to say, Jesica found herself soaking her hands in Maalox milk and ice because the chili capsaicin burned
those little didoes (“fingers).

She would be on her knees praying at 3 in the morning. This was not a once in a while thing. This was a
very regular occurrence. She was constantly in the word of God. When traveling by car was no longer an
option, she would watch praise and worship, and many preachers teach their messages on TV. There
would be days she could not remember our names but she would be able to get across the point that she
wanted to watch church. The day before she had passed, she was sitting by her fireplace with her arms
raised, just worshiping. She knew who she was. She knew she was a daughter of the King. Her spirit
never forgot who she was.

She was able to stay in her home with the care of her loving husband and family. On her last night on this
earth her grandson Daniel and church grandchildren Stephanie, Jordan, and Aaliyah, were able to put up
the Christmas tree for her to see one last time. She went to sleep happy and with a full heart. She woke
her husband up at three in the morning. They were able to pray together and there was a peaceful
presence. Jess held her hand and she was able to fall asleep. She went to be with the Lord. I was as if she
was telling him goodbye.