Dorothy Ruth Chavez

Dorothy Ruth (Newman) Chavez, known to family and friends as Ruth, passed away at the age of 97. She was born on September 9, 1929, in Tampa, Florida, where she spent most of her life, before moving to DeLand, Florida, where she spent her remaining years close to her three children.

Ruth was the second youngest of five children and the last surviving of her siblings. She worked as a bailiff with the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office and retired after decades of dedicated service. She was married to her husband, Mario Chavez, for 68 years before his passing.

She is survived by her three children, Kathy Chavez, Chris Chavez (Sandy), and Mario “Mickey” Chavez (Debbie); six grandchildren, Patty Chavez, Shawnee Nash (Scott), Kari Zipay (Matt), Kimberly Lackey Wilson (Justin), Phillip Chavez (Heather), and Connor Chavez (London); and four great-grandchildren, Trey, Ava, Mackenzie, and Carter.

Ruth lived with Alzheimer’s disease for many years and was surrounded by devoted caregivers throughout that journey. The Chavez family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to the nurses and staff at Woodland Towers in DeLand, her private caregivers, and Hospice for the kindness, compassion, and exceptional care they provided to Ruth and her family.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer’s Association in Ruth’s memory.