In Loving Memory of Andrea C. Ruiz

Surrounded by the family she loved so dearly, Andrea C. Ruiz passed peacefully at home on April 5, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in Havana, Cuba, to the late Geronimo and Flora Tang, Andrea later made Gloucester City her beloved home for over six decades, a city she grew to cherish as deeply as it cherished her.

Andrea was the heart and soul of her family. She was the devoted and loving wife of 62 years to the late Mr. Juan Ruiz, a partnership rooted in unwavering faith, hard work, and endless love. Together, they built a new life in the United States after migrating in the mid-1960s, and in Gloucester City, they raised three children, instilling in them values of perseverance, humility, and compassion.

She was the deeply devoted mother of Commissioner Virginia Betteridge (husband Mr. Thomas Betteridge), Mr. John P. Ruiz (Dr. Alexandra Kropotova), and Dr. Brian E. Ruiz (wife Mrs. Annmarie Ruiz). Her pride and joy were her cherished grandchildren: Mrs. Megan Purewal (husband Dr. Miteswar Purewal), Mr. Sean Betteridge, Ms. Taylor Ruiz, Ms. Brooke Ruiz, Mr. JohnCarlo Ruiz, and Mr. Rian Ruiz, and her beloved great-grandchildren: Mateo, Havana, Reya, and Jianna Purewal.

To know Andrea was to instantly fall in love with her. Her warmth and gentle charisma drew people in effortlessly. She never once complained, not in times of hardship, nor even during illness. Her strength was subtle but absolute, a quiet and constant force that held her family together. Her life was a masterclass in grace under pressure, in selfless giving, and in finding joy in even the smallest blessings.

Andrea lived passionately and loved fiercely. She was always curious and eager to learn new things, constantly seeking challenges that would stimulate her creative mind. An avid and skilled artisan, she had a passion for knitting, crocheting, embroidery, and sewing. During the pandemic, she hand-sewed masks and distributed them throughout the community, another expression of her love for others.

Baseball was Andrea's favorite sport, and the Philadelphia Phillies were her team. She was a fixture at the Gloucester City Little League fields, cheering on her sons and their teammates with contagious energy and unwavering loyalty. Even in her final days, she continued to watch and cheer for her beloved Phillies.

Her legacy of Sunday dinners, her culinary gifts, her radiant smile, and her fierce devotion to family and community will live on in all who knew her. Her nieces and nephews, whom she loved as her own, were blessed by her presence, her stories, and of course, her unforgettable meals.

Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Andrea's life on Wednesday, April 9th, 2025, at St. Mary's R.C. Church, 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:45 AM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 PM. Interment will be private. All services are being held at the church she so dearly loved.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Andrea's generous spirit with a donation to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital ( www.stjude.org/give ) or Wounded Warrior Project ( www.woundedwarriorproject.org ). Kindly memo donations with Andrea C. Ruiz.

Condolences and memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Andrea C. Ruiz.

Funeral arrangements and inquiries may be made through McCann-Healey Funeral Home, Gloucester City. Ph: 856-456-1142.