Francisca Ruiz

Francisca Ruiz, 100, passed away peacefully at home in the presence of her loved ones on Friday, January 9, 2026, in Carlsbad, New Mexico.

Visitation will be from 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM, Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at Denton-Wood Funeral Home. A Rosary will be recited at 9:30 AM, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at San Jose Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Carlsbad Cemetery, Carlsbad, NM. Denton-Wood Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.

Francisca was born to Evaristo and Ventura (López) Soto on July 18, 1925, in Custigue, Jalisco, Mexico. She married Victorio Ruiz in 1941. Francisca was a devoted wife and the loving mother of fifteen children. She dedicated her life to her family, finding her greatest joy in being a wife and raising her children with love, faith, and care.

A devout Catholic, Francisca prayed the rosary nightly and lived her faith through quiet devotion and service to others. In 1978, she came to the United States from Aguascalientes, Mexico, bringing with her cherished traditions that she lovingly passed down through generations.

Francisca found joy in sewing, embroidery, and watching her favorite novelas. She especially loved celebrating Christmas on Christmas Eve and preparing traditional dishes such as capirotada and mole during Holy Week and Good Friday. She was well known for her chile colorado, tamales, and her famous pecan apple cake. Francisca loved gardening, cooking large meals for her family, visiting the salon, and sharing riddles and sayings that brought smiles to those around her.

She will be remembered for her genuineness, reliability, and loyalty to her family and friends. Francisca was always willing to help others in any way she could, offering comfort, wisdom, and love without hesitation.

She will be deeply missed for her presence in our lives…her laughter, her boundless love, and the cariño, amor, y consuelo she gave so freely and unconditionally.

Francisca is survived by her children: Ma. del Refugio Gaspar and husband, Refugio, Raquel Delgado and husband, José Santos, Antonio Ruiz and wife, Terry, Ma. Guadalupe Muñoz and husband, Martín, Gloria Chávez and husband, José Cruz, Lourdes Serna and husband, Jesús, Tirso Ruiz and wife, Luz Angélica, Alejandro Ruiz and wife, Elva Carolina, José de Jesús Ruiz and wife, Patricia; 41 grandchildren, 92 great-grandchildren, 18 great-great-grandchildren; brother, José Soto.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Evaristo and Ventura López Soto; husband, Victorio Ruiz; children: Filomena Ruiz, Ofelia Ruiz, Isaías Ruiz, Teresa Ruiz, Porfiria Ruiz, and Asunción Ruiz; granddaughters: Luz Elena Gaspar and Leticia R. Delgado; siblings, Pablo Soto, Rafaela Castro, Felicitas Ruvalcaba, Román Soto, and Agustina Esparza.

Pallbearers are Tirso Ruiz, Alejandro Ruiz, José de Jesús Ruiz, José Santos Delgado, Jr., Anthony Ruiz, and Manuel R. Contreras. Honorary Pallbearer will be Antonio Ruiz.