Eva R. Juarez, age 94, passed away Thursday, August 29, 2019 at her home in Gilroy surrounded by her family.  She was born on July 16, 1925 to Daniel H. Ruiz, Sr. and Beatriz Ruiz.

She came to Gilroy in 1943 with her mother and father along with 5 brothers and 3 sisters.  Her mother and  father purchased the historic Holloway Hotel originally called the New York Exchange Hotel.  It was built in 1853 and was known as a stage coach stop.  The horse drawn carriages stopped there for the night.  Eventually, the building was turned into residences and it was known as the Oaks Apts. It was renamed the Guadalupe Apartments.

Eva worked at Filice & Perelli Canning in the early years.  It was later called California Canners and Growers.  She retired in 1988.   While working at the cannery she wore many hats.  She worked the assembly line and was the first aide nurse.  She was organizer of the potlucks and keeper of the tamale pot.  Her job was to make sure no one took more than one tamale. She wanted to be sure everyone received at least one.

She met the love of her life,  Enrique G. Juarez and they married on May 28, 1950.   Eva and Enrique enjoyed dancing, playing cards and spending time with her brothers and sisters.  Together, they had two children, Alma and Henry.  Eva was a dedicated wife and mother.

Eva was an avid gardener and never met a flower she didn't like.  She loved going to the casinos and spending time at Gilroy Senior Center.

Eva had many talents.  She was an excellent cook, sewed without a pattern and loved to play poker.  She loved to feed friends and family her delicious homemade meals.  No one ever went away hungry.

From the time of her birth to the time of her passing, she nourished people around her with love, faith, guidance and friendship.

Eva lived a life of love, compassion and meaning to her family and numerable friends.  Eva mattered to the world and was a special, mother, sister, godmother, grandmother and aunt to all who knew her.

She is survived by her daughter, Alma Alfaro (Ruben) and her son Henry Jr. (Maretta); four grandchildren: Susan Denise Alfaro, Steven John Alfaro, Marisa Juarez Quistian (Valentino) and Jared Juarez; three great-grandchildren;  Valentino, Rosalie and Selena Quistian.  She leaves one sister, Irma Ruiz Batrez, one brother, Henry Ruiz and many nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her beloved cat, Thomas, who loved her to the end.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Daniel and Beatriz Ruiz, her husband Enrique G. Juarez.  Brothers Daniel Ruiz Jr., Jose Ruiz, Jesse Ruiz, Oscar Ruiz and two sisters, Mary Garcia and Maria Oralia Rede.

Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, September 5, 2019 with a viewing at Habing Family Funeral Home starting at 12:00 noon then to St. Mary's Church for a Funeral Mass at 2:00 P.M.   Burial will follow at St. Mary Cemetery, Gilroy.