It is with heavy hearts that the daughters of Ruth Olivera announce her passing on December 18. A person of lifelong healthy habits, her July 20th diagnosis of stage 4 lung cancer came as a great shock. Despite the painful course of her decline, she found blessings in the time spent with her 3 daughters to whom she entrusted her care. Born in David City, Nebraska on April 19, 1927, Ruth lived to be 94. She was predeceased by parents Ellen Ruth Maunder Ritchey, Orville Wayne Ritchey, brother Ronald Eugene Ritchey and husband Professor Otto Olivera after 62 years of marriage. She is survived by daughters Deborah Olivera Deaton (Doug), Rebecca Ruth Olivera, and Maria Olivera Molina (Carlos). Grandchildren are Mark Deaton (Allison), Lilian Ruth Molina and Lila Molina Williams (Ryan). Born into a family of educators, Ruth was a third-generation graduate of Nebraska's Hastings College where she got a Bachelor's degree in Spanish and English and earned the distinction of magna cum laude. The love of Spanish led this mid-westerner to adventures in Mexico and a scholarship to graduate school at Tulane University where she met her future husband, Otto Olivera of Cuba. Ruth got a master's degree in Spanish, married on Dec 27, 1950, taught in high school and college and the young couple had Deborah, their first born in New Orleans. Becky and Maria were born in Syracuse, New York where the family moved for Otto's teaching position at Syracuse University in 1954. They made cherished memories camping in the Adirondacks and taking summer vacations all over the U.S. In 1965, Otto's Tulane professorship brought them back to New Orleans where Ruth and Otto lived for the rest of their lives. Ruth worked for 26 years translating and cataloguing rare manuscripts at the Latin American Library of Tulane. A member of the Tulane University Women's Association, she was a past president and received the association's Longenecker Award. The broad spectrum of her interests and activities created a rich legacy. A faithful member of Community Church Unitarian Universalist since the 60s, she embraced humanitarian causes, absolutely loved singing in the choir, was the church librarian along with many other functions. She served as an elections commissioner, did volunteer literacy work, gave generously to numerous charities. A music lover, she belonged to the Friends of Music, attended operas and the symphony. An avid reader she was in several book clubs, a poetry group and co-authored the book Life in Mexico Under Santa Anna. She was in the Fine Arts Club. She loved nature, gardening, adored observing the life cycle of monarch butterflies. She and Otto pampered 4 Boston Terriers and relished in travel and the culture of 35 Countries. After his passing in 2012, she eventually moved to the Garden House independent living apartments at Poydras Home in 2017. There she added weekly painting classes to her schedule and stayed engaged in her usual activities until the quarantine of the covid pandemic. Here, her resilience was evident by staying connected thru email, texts, phone, writing and learning to zoom. She made new friends throughout her life and continued to assist others in need. Special thanks to dear friends who took her to favorite activities in her later years. Sincere appreciation is extended to the very professional and caring staff and administrators of Poydras Home, to the compassion and ready responses of Hospice Specialists of Louisiana, to the residents of the Garden House and to the friends who sent cards, prayers, flowers, made calls, visits and expressions of love and concern to our mother. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Second Harvest Food Bank, Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, Community Church Unitarian Universalist or a charity of your choice. Memorial Service at Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home Tuesday December 28 Visitation 12:30, Memorial Service at 2:00 pm MASKS required

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