Mary Josephine (Hauser) Ruez

Mary Josephine (Hauser) Ruez, 96, of Mentor, passed away early Christmas morning, Dec. 25, 2012, after a long and loving life. Born Jan. 19, 1916, in Hartford, Wis., she was a Lake County resident for more than 55 years. Mary Jo graduated at the top of her high school class and was president of the debate club. She was a competitive archer in her teens. Mary Jo spent her lifetime reading and learning and actively encouraging her children and grandchildren to do the same. Through her example, she was successful in this effort. In World War II, she served in the Red Cross while her four brothers and future husband fought overseas. She married Sgt. George Ruez in 1946 and they began their family. In addition to a career in accounting and estimating, she was a noted cook. After her retirement, she cooked for the St. Mary of the Assumption Church rectory for several years. Her greatest accomplishments were as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Mary Jo's surviving children include Elizabeth "Liza" (Gene) Volk of Mentor who, with the help of her siblings, lovingly cared for Mary Jo in her later years, Paul Ruez of Concord, Ellen "Lallie" (Frank) Dolence of Mentor and Christine (Toby) Hanahan of Perry. Mary Jo's grandchildren include Kim (Lars) Ebbesen of Westport, Conn., Sara (Tzintzuni) Volk de Garcia of San Antonio, Texas, Lisa (Stephen) Robey of Baltimore, Md., Lara Volk of Mentor, Adrienne Fleck of Cincinnati, Jarrod (Stephanie) Ruez of Nashville, Tenn., Lindsay (Seamus) Reilly of Columbus, Tiffany (Brett) Rodstrom of Concord, Todd McCalla of Nashville, Tenn., Katy (Joseph) Riddle of Nashville, Tenn., Kelly (Rich) Montague of Singapore, Melissa (Dan) Madden of Westerville, Kelly Hanahan and Erin Hanahan of Perry. Mary Jo's great-grandchildren include Amalia "Maya", Eva and Sofia Ebbesen, Lorenzo "Zolo" Garcia, Samuel and William Fleck, John Paul Bodnar Ruez, Solomon and Sloan Reilly, Samuel Riddle, Anne Montague, and Olivia and Claire Madden. Through the years her house served as home to many friends she loved as family. She was preceded in death by her loving husband, George; and daughter, Mary. The family will announce a Funeral Mass and a celebration of Mary Jo's life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make a donation to The Hospice of Western Reserve, 17876 St. Clair Ave., Cleveland, OH 44110 or donate online at hospicewr.org. Arrangements are entrusted to Brunner Sanden Deitrick Funeral Home and Cremation Center, Mentor. Online obituary at www.brunners.com.

Mary Josephine (Hauser) Ruez

January 19, 1916 - December 25, 2012