Ruth Helene Centoz

Ruth Helene Centoz, 91, passed away peacefully on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2016. Ruth was born in What Cheer, Iowa on Dec. 11, 1924 to Ida and Leslie Blacketer. After graduating from high school at 17, Ruth was hired as a teacher in a 2-room school house. She met Marius Centoz while working in a resort one summer in Colorado. Writing to each other after the summer ended convinced them they were meant to be together and they married on May 20, 1950. They moved to California, eventually settling in Costa Mesa where daughters Charlene, Leslie, and Silvia were born. Ruth went back to teaching in California before heath issues prompted the family to move to the warmth of Arizona. She taught 1st grade at Hohokam School in Scottsdale for a number of years. She and her husband moved to a home they had built in Queen Creek after her retirement. Ruth was an avid reader, an animal lover, played piano, and enjoyed spending time with family and friends. The Centoz household was always the place to go when someone was alone on a holiday. As she aged and her hair turned white, Ruth was known for wearing bright colors like red, aqua, and various shades of purple. Ruth became a Catholic when she married her husband and over the years became very devout. The last thing she told those gathered around her was “Guess what!! It’s my lucky day. The Holy Spirit told me he is taking me to Heaven today.” She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brother, Donald Blacketer; and grandson, Bradley Mills. She is survived by daughters, Charlene Mills, Leslie Werman (Ralph), Silvia Centoz; grandson, Mark Mills; great-granddaughter, Bradlee vanRavenswaay; niece, Linda Kay Freeman (Clatis); and many other nieces and nephews. A Mass of Christian Burial will be said at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, 20615 E. Ocotillo Rd., Queen Creek, AZ 85142, on Saturday, Jan. 30th at 11:00 a.m. Refreshments to follow in the hall after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you make a donation to your favorite charity. The family wishes to thank all the “angels of mercy” at Mission Palms and Banner Baywood Hospital for their loving care.