Carolyn Jean Butcher Ruiz passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 15, after a short illness. She was 87.
Carolyn was born Nov. 15, 1935, in Santa Barbara. She was the daughter of Roy Ernest Butcher, a Santa Barbara firefighter, and Kathleen Leonor Ogden Butcher, a dental assistant.
Carolyn graduated from Santa Barbara High in 1953. She went on to become a dental assistant for a short time before she married her high school sweetheart, John Luke Ruiz.
They had four children: Mark, Doug, Randy and Lori.
Carolyn’s love of children carried over into babysitting for grandchildren and other children. She enjoyed watching them grow under her care.
Carolyn’s next career was as a nurse’s assistant at a skilled-nursing facility. For nearly 20 years, she took excellent care of her patients, learning about their lives and getting to know their families. Her exceptional care earned her many awards.
Carolyn’s many hobbies included reading, knitting, sewing, gardening and baking. She loved making baby blankets, sweaters and booties for her many grandchildren and great grandchildren. She sold her crafts to friends and relatives for many years.
In addition to her many hobbies, Carolyn loved sports especially football and golf. She also had a great love for animals, and was a loving grandma to her many fur babies.
One of Carolyn’s favorite places was her garden with its beautiful flowers and roses. She loved to watch them grow and thrive.
Most of all, she loved her family — being surrounded by them and playing her favorite dice game, and being her feisty self, laughing and having fun.
Carolyn is survived by her four children, Mark, Doug, Randy and Lori; her daughters in law, Moira and Josephine; and her son in law, Richard Pohl.
Carolyn had 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her sister and brother in law, Sharon and Rex Marik; and their children, Karen, Kathy, Michael and Melissa and their children and grandchildren.
Carolyn was predeceased by her daughter in law, Adele Bocalli Ruiz.
A private celebration of her life is planned in lieu of a formal funeral, per our mother’s wishes.