Maria Lourdes Ruiz Ballen passed on February 19, 2022.
She died peacefully beside her husband Gary, free from pain, stress, anxiety, and with a smile on her face.
She was born to Carlos Perey Ruiz and Epifania Nazario Ruiz on February 11, 1950. She comes from a family of ten siblings (Romy+, Quintos+, Titong+). She is survived by Carlo, Jimmy, Carol, Carmen, Rose, Dyng, their spouses, numerous nephews, nieces, and cousins. She was considered a matriarch of her large family and constantly included them in her daily prayers.
Marilou graduated high school from Santa Catalina College Manila in 1966. She received a degree in Business from Jose Rizal University Philippines (formerly Jose Rizal College).
She raised her only child Patricia Cristina Valdes Boeckmann, with Teena’s father, Antonio Valdés +, in Manila, Philippines. She gained a son when her daughter married Bradley Boeckmann. She was lovingly called Mama Lou by her grandkids, Brandon, Alexis, Blake, and Faith. She loved the whole Boeckmann family, who accepted her with deep fondness. She especially loved her great-grandchildren, Brayson, Brynlee, and Bronson.
In 2008 she met her ever-loving best friend and devoted husband, Gary Ballen. On November 6, 2021, she married Gary and proudly carried the name Maria Lourdes Ruiz Ballen. In addition to her son-in-law, Brad, she gained two more sons – Jeremy and David Ballen.
A Dodger fanatic who loved watching westerns, she loved bowling, music, dancing, kids, and was one of the kindest, most compassionate people on the planet. When she was diagnosed with cancer 27 years ago, she told God she would try to do a good deed every day. She was always prepared; her motto was “anticipate and make it easy for the next person.” She lived by those rules.
She managed a marketing arm of Health Maintenance Inc. Philippines – Health Booster until she retired in 2012. She was a self-proclaimed frustrated doctor and was passionate about personally taking care of all her insurance members. She was a consistent top sales producer and focused on customer service.
A devout Catholic, she volunteered at the Shrine of Mary Queen of Peace, Our Lady of EDSA Philippines through the years 1996-2013.
We will miss our Mama Lou but know she will forever be dancing in our hearts!
The Viewing will be at Forest Lawn 1712 S Glendale Ave., Glendale, CA 91205 USA, Sunday, March 27, 2022, from 10 am-4:30 pm PST.
The Service and Burial will be at Forest Lawn, Church of the Wee Kirk, 1712 S Glendale Ave., Glendale, CA 91205 USA, on Monday, March 28, 2022, at 2:00 pm PST.
The Celebration of Life will be at Galpin Auto Sports – GAS, 15600 Roscoe Blvd. Van Nuys, CA 91406 USA, Monday, March 28, 2022, at 4:00 pm PST.
