Refugia "Cuca" Cruz
Refugia "Cuca" Cruz, 89, a longtime resident of Moses Lake went to our Heavenly Father on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2006, at Samaritan Hospital, in the presence of her children and family at her side. Viewing will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20 with funeral services to follow at 2 p.m. at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on Nelson Drive. Arrangements are in care of Kayser's Chapel and Crematory, Moses Lake.
Refugia was born on Sept. 1, 1917, in Dolores, Texas, and third sibling of the late Andres and Francisca (Bustamante) Zamora. Refugia was married to the late Cleofas H. Cruz, on Nov. 6, 1932, and sealed in Provo, Utah, on Oct. 4, 1980.
Refugia and her family moved into the Columbia Basin as migrant workers to make Moses Lake their home. In the 1960s, Refugia and Cleofas were able to purchase and develop 16 acres of land to build their children's home (Cruz Ranch), which was the foundation of our family and what it stands for. Refugia was a woman with many qualities; humorous, loved to spend time with her family, prepare Mexican meals and pastries for all who would visit her, a tender caretaker, generosity toward fellow migrant workers, a passion for refurbishing furniture, a devotion for rose gardening, heart to heart conversations, well known for her thoughtful prayers, and most of all a great teacher of love, life, respect, and faith.
Refugia was preceded in death by her three sisters and seven brothers. Refugia was also preceded in death by her husband Cleofas H. Cruz; son, Alonzo Cruz; daughter, Florencia Cruz; son-in-law, Ascencion Guzman; daughter-in-law, Patricia Ann Cruz, and great-great-granddaughter, Elizabeth C. Navarro.
She is survived by children Arturo (Anita) Cruz; Elvira (Cliff) Perez; Alonzo (Sophia) Cruz; Cleo (Jose) Noyola; Freddy (Rosa) Cruz; Lupe Guzman and Abel (Martha) Cruz, 56 grandchildren, 105 great-grandchildren and 41 great-great-grandchildren.
She will be greatly missed, always loved and her legacy will carry on for generations to come.
The family would like to give special thanks to the staff of Summer Wood Alzheimer's Special Care Center and Samaritan Hospital.