Monica Cecelia Ruiz reached for the loving hand of Jesus on May 2, 2015. She was surrounded by her family as she began her journey to heaven. Born June 19, 1991, Monica was a beautiful and joyful blessing to her parents. She graduated from Ball High School in 2009 and attended Galveston Community College. Her aspiration was to become a nurse and obtain a Bachelors of Nursing degree.

Monica endured many health challenges along the way, but with admiral strength she did not let those challenges limit her. She was a gracious, loving, selfless, and courageous princess. Her unwavering faith in God, along with love and prayers of family, friends and many supporters, carried her through all her health trials.

In the summer of 2012, Monica gave birth to her son, Noah. Instantly, he became her world, her prince, her “love bug.” She would say to him, “You are the reason I keep going every day. Momma loves you, baby.” She would say, “He always turns my day around.” Monica never missed an opportunity to tell Noah, “Mommy loves you so much.” Monica’s loving words to her son on his second birthday were, “God blessed me with the most amazing baby boy any mother could ask for. I have such a sweet, smart, and happy son! I can’t wait to see what God has in store for your future. Momma will always love you more than you will ever possibly understand, and I will never leave your side.”

Monica is preceded in death by her grandparents, Roberto and Rosie Ruiz.

She is survived by her son, Noah Isaiah Ruiz; parents, Rick and Cindy (Medina) Ruiz, Sr.; grandparents, Richard and Jessie Medina; siblings: Adrian Ruiz, Rick Ruiz, Jr., and Dianna (Ruiz) Miller; her beautiful nieces: Kathryn, Arissa, Aviana and Lila Ruiz, along with Gabriella and Gianna Miller; numerous aunts, uncles and cousins; her dear friends: Paulina Molina, Jessica Rodriguez, Adrianna Zermeno, Crystal Hernandez, Andrea Pena, Vanessa Hernandez, Bianca Ramirez, Khalilah Toussant, and Melinda Molina.

Monica’s family will receive visitors beginning at 5:00 pm, Tuesday, May 5th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home. A service honoring Monica’s life will begin at 7:00 pm.

Funeral service will be 10:30 am, Wednesday, May 6th, at Malloy & Son Funeral Home with Pastor Art Ruiz officiating. Burial will follow the service at Mt. Olivet Catholic Cemetery in Dickinson.

Pallbearers will be Alex Reggalado, Mario Ruiz, Jr., Eric Garza, Raymond Medina, Jason Ruiz, and Jose Tovar Jr. Honorary pallbearer will be Noah Ruiz.

A loving thank you to Monica’s Aunt Mary and Uncle Michael Solis for their genuine love and kindness through the years. Monica loved you both dearly.

A special thank you, also, to Dr. Beach for his undivided care and the nurses in the MICU unit, Nancy Rivera, Leslie, Ashley, Lisa, Lillian and Adam.