Vivian Anne Ruiz

Loreauville – Funeral services will be conducted for Mrs. Russell Ruiz, Jr., the former Vivian Anne Toffier, 88, at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Bill Melancon officiating. Burial will follow in All Saints Mausoleum.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 17, 2017, from 2:00 PM until 9:00 PM and resume on Wednesday, October 18, 2017, at 8:00 AM until the time of services. A rosary will be prayed in the funeral home by the Men’s Rosary Group at 7:00 PM.

A native of Iberia Parish and a resident of Loreauville, Mrs. Ruiz passed away on Saturday, October 14, 2017, at 6:16 PM at her residence.

After the death of her beloved “Poppa” in 1947 as a seventeen year old, she moved to New Orleans to support her mom and her younger siblings.  She worked in a clothing factory for her first job.  When she reached the age of 18, she was hired as a Switchboard Operator and worked at Southern Bell in New Orleans.  She loved her job and the big city.  She loved entertaining friends from back home when they visited New Orleans.  She moved back to Loreauville and continue to work for Southern Bell in New Iberia.  She married and became a stay at home mom to care for her children.  Her family was very important to her.  She instilled values and moral in her children.  Even though she and her husband did not complete high school, they recognized the importance of an education and made sure her children and grandchildren would attend a university.  After her family was raised, she went back to work at Southwest Answering Service for Louise West and Let Us Answer for Wardel Gerhart and Darcey Dutil. She was a member of the Senior Catholic Daughters in Loreauville. She was a Past President of the Loreauville High School Band Boosters and was a fan of Loreauville High School Football, LSU Football and Saints Football. She was a contributor of the Rusty Ruiz Memorial Foundation.  She was a wonderful cook and enjoyed Florida beach vacations every year with her children and grandchildren.  She and her husband loved the local bands and dancing; they floated on the dance floor.  They have been reunited and are dancing in Heaven.

She was survived by her son, Gregory John Ruiz of Jeanerette; her daughters, Charlene Ruiz Picheloup and her husband James E. Picheloup, II of New Iberia and Melissa Ruiz Drescher and her husband Edwin Drescher of Prairieville; her brother, Curtis “Sonny” Toffier, Jr. of Loreauville, her sisters, Mary Lou Toffier of Fresno. CA, Patricia Toffier Verret and Sheryl Toffier Vincent  both of Loreauville; her grandchildren, Rachel Renee Ruiz, Victor Drescher, Pamela Patrice Patin, Briana Leigh Drescher, James E. Picheloup, III and Andrew James Picheloup and her great grandchildren, Deja Renee Ruiz, Deon Washington, Aubrey Renee Menard, Killey Lee Menard, Jr., Brooke Elizabeth Drescher, Emily Claire Dreschler and Reagan Annette Redmon.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Russell Ruiz, Jr.; her parents, Curtis Toffier, Sr. and Mathilde Decuir Toffier; her sisters, Violet Toffier Shattuck, Dorothy Toffier Latiolais and Hazel Toffier Sampey and her grandchild, Rusty Robert Ruiz.

Pallbearers will be her grandchildren, Rachel Renee Ruiz, Victor Drescher, Pamela Patrice Patin, Briana Leigh Drescher, James E. Picheloup, III and Andrew James Picheloup.

Honorary pallbearers will be Crystal Ann Toffier, Celina Seneca Blanchard and Christine Ruiz Bourque, her godchildren.

Gift bearers will be Aubrey Menard and Killey Menard, Jr.  The readings will be given by Robin Verret, her nephew.

The family would like to express the thanks to her caregivers, Sara Romero, Faye Rebert, Stacie Stelly, Rachel Vice and Heart of Hospice.  Special thanks to her sister-in-law, Helen L. Toffier and Claudette C. Berard.

You can sign the guest register book and / or send condolences at www.davidfuneralhome.org

David Funeral Home of Loreauville, 116 S. Main St. (337) 369-6336 is in charge of arrangements.