Candelaria Ruiz DeGuzman

Candelaria Ruiz DeGuzman, passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Saturday, June 22, 2024 at the golden age of 84. Beloved Wife of the late Manuel I. DeGuzman. Devoted Mother of Lorelli (Tim) Ryan, Marissa (Martin) Gonzalez, Randy (Amy) DeGuzman, the late John J. DeGuzman and the late G. Quezon (Twylla) DeGuzman. Loving Daughter of the late Jose & the late Pacencia Ruiz. Fond Grandmother of Jessica (Lou) Filipow, Nadia Gonzalez, Isabela Gonzalez, Claudia Gonzalez, Adrianna Gonzalez, T.J. Ryan, Kyle Ryan, Garret Ryan, Olivia DeGuzman and Ella DeGuzman. Fond Great-Grandmother of Jayden Martin Gonzalez. Dear Sister of Josefina Lim, Erlinda Asedillo, Estella Rodriguez, Leticia Cruz, the late Sonia Ruiz, the late Jose Ruiz, Jr. and the late Rey Rudari. Dear Aunt of many Nieces & Nephews.

Candelaria graduated in 1959 from the School of Nursing at the University of Santo Tomas in the Philippines. She worked as a Staff Nurse at Lourdes Hospital until she was recruited to the United States in 1961. After deciding Chicago shall be her new home in January of 1961, she worked as a RN at St. Mary’s of Nazareth until 1969 where she then returned to the Philippines. There, she became the Principal and Nursing Director of Marion School of Nursing for two years. After returning to Chicago, Candelaria completed her master’s degree in business administration from DePaul University and became the Assistant Director of Nursing at St. Elizabeth Hospital and was eventually promoted to Director of Nursing from 1974 to 1987. She then left the hospital to start her own nursing agency called the Pacific Nursing Agency (PINKA) for five years. She eventually, moved to Jacksonville, Florida and worked as a Staff Nurse at the Baptist Medical Center as well as an Educator at the University Medical Center until 1995. After returning to Chicago, she worked as a Staff Nurse at Delnor Community Hospital and at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Joliet until her retirement in 2009. Candelaria worked as a RN for 50 years and loved being a nurse. Her passion as an educator embodied the spirit of service and selflessness in all aspects of her life.

Family and Friends are to gather for the Visitation on Wednesday, June 26, 2024 from 3:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Russo’s Hillside Chapels, 4500 Roosevelt Road, Hillside, Illinois 60162 (Located between Mannheim & Wolf Road). Funeral to follow on Thursday, June 27, 2024 from Russo’s Hillside Chapels at 9:00 a.m. Proceeding to St. Domitilla Catholic Church, 4940 Washington Street, Hillside, Illinois. Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated promptly at 10:00 a.m. Interment at Queen of Heaven Catholic Cemetery. For additional information please call (708) 449-5300

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