Ruth Olvera

Our hearts were pierced with woe September 8th 2026 we bid farewell to a daughter, a sister, a wife, a friend, a mother, and a wonderful woman who loved God. In recent years she battled with her health being in and out of the hospital for various complications. A few months ago she suffered cardiac arrest while in the hospital. CPR was successfully performed although 20 minutes without oxygen left her severely brain damaged and in a vegetative state being kept alive by a ventilator. Her birthday passed on August 18th and the painful decision of letting her go was made. Her siblings, niece, and sons were right there to comfort her saying farewell for now to Ruth Olvera.

Born to Domingo and Emma Olvera, Ruth was the first of eleven children to be born in California in the city of Patterson. She grew up in Morgan Hill and Gilroy California with a large part of her heart in Texas where her parents and elder siblings first entered the U.S. Each and every one of her family members took notice of her bold personality as she was never the type to shy away no matter the situation. She spoke her mind like no other to champion the truth rather than relent to a half way lie. With love for others at the core of her being she told it like it is. Whether you were on the city council or a random person at the grocery store she kept things real garnering respect from many.

As we commemorate Ruth's life we can reminisce about the compassion, hope, and love she gave to others. Always the one to cheer you up no matter how she was feeling on the inside she listened to hearts crying with empathy in hers. Each and every night she prayed for her loved ones, her family, friends and the city of Gilroy for protection, guidance and for salvation.

One of her favorite pastimes was singing. Oldies, worship songs, happy birthday you name it she sang it with a wondrous and resonant tone. One of her all time favorites was Shining Star by The Manhattans which she sang to her youngest son Bobby often on their way to school. She also sang “You are my sunshine” to Debbie's daughters Amelia and Caroline as a gift and a core memory for the twins. Without her voice the world will be that much more of a somber place even so the memories of every single tune continue in the lives of those she loved. Next time you hear Shining Star give a smile for Ruth.

Throughout her life Ruth loved without ceasing her husband and children were near and dear to her heart doing her best despite hardships to bring memories that would last the rest of our days. Once upon a time she and her niece Debbie took her boys to Disneyland in Anaheim California while she was a single mother at the time. She would never allow life's circumstances to keep her from giving her heart and soul to those she held dear.

At 5 years old she started kindergarten and with her class being in the afternoon her elder brother David was given the responsibility to take her to and from school on a bike with a banana seat. David would return to the house at lunchtime to enjoy the meal which was provided by Maria, the family's baby sitter. She'd be dropped off as he went back and picked up from school knowing her big brother was taking good care of her.

Jobs and careers came with many hats and Ruth wore each one with confidence and responsibility. After graduating from Live Oak High School in 1982 she got her first job working at Morgan Hill City Hall and later worked at a local law firm where her sister Naomi would eventually join her as a fellow employee. No matter how arduous life got she stood strong on the firm foundation of her faith Jesus Christ wavering but never staying down even when it would have been easier to do so. As in the coming years her darkest days of struggling would have to be endured but even these brought forth light as her next major step would be working for Pathways in Morgan Hill, a substance abuse center for those struggling with drug addiction. She was an intake coordinator setting men and women up on the road to recovery.

Becoming a mother, Andrew Olvera was born on December 27th 1986. Just over a decade later she suffered the stillbirth of her son Jasper Solomon Delarosa on August 29th 1997 her heart as a mother grieved. Her next three children would help heal the loss even so the memory of him being carried would live through them all. Zack or Zechariah Delarosa was born on January 30th 1999, a beautiful baby girl Alicia Olvera was born December 21st 2000 being adopted by Ruth's brother Joel Olvera at an early age and lastly Robert better known as Bobby Delarosa was born on December 30th 2001 a total of five babies held in her arms and heart.

Always thinking of her family the holidays were spent uniting her loved ones Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas parties, birthdays she used every opportunity to remind us we are stronger together. Survived by her siblings the head of the family her brother David, sister Elizabeth, brothers Elias, Joel, and Paul, and her youngest sister Naomi. As well as her children Andrew, Zack, Alisha, and Bobby. As her fire has gone out her loved ones, her family and close friends will kindle the flame of her love and memories in our hearts she may have fallen but she will never be forgotten. Friday September 25th we will celebrate the life she lived at Habings Funeral Home (129 4th St, Gilroy, CA) the viewing will be opened at 9:00 am with the funeral service beginning at 11:30 am and the cemetery burial starting between 1:00-1:30 pm. Followed by the reception at her old church El Lirio de Valle (160 5th St, Gilroy, CA) whatever your relationship/friendship with Ruth was, you are welcome to join us as we honor her life, loving her family, her friends and her God.