Born on July 18, 1932, Refugio (Ruth) Villanueva Arvizu began her eternal rest on August 31, 2026, at age 94, concluding a life defined by courage, devotion, and joy. She was the heart of her family, offering comfort, wisdom, and a love that lifted others through every season of life. Her humor, her strength, and her boundless compassion live on in those who carry her legacy forward.

Ruth, in her teenage years worked for Dobson Ranch in Tempe, AZ. Beginning in 1973 Ruth labored at the Del Monte chili cannery for 2 seasonal years and in 1989 she worked at Essex Management until she retired at the age of 79 in 2011. Ruth carried herself with modesty and beauty that radiated her soul by faith of God. Her presence was warm and luminous, but her heart was even more extraordinary. Her faith guided her, her compassion embraced all, and her devotion to her family was the pride of her life. Ruth lived with that same quiet faithfulness. To know Ruth was to witness true grace and to be touched by love that reached far and wide.

Ruth is survived by one sibling, brother, Adolfo (Mary) Villanueva; Four Children, her only son Francisco V. Arvizu (Maura), three daughters, Norma Vasquez (Frank), Evelyn Arvizu-Sanchez (Ben) and Beatriz Fletcher (Craig); Eight Grandchildren: Alexander Romero (Felicitas); Adrian Vasquez (Tricia); Ethan Romero (Britteni); Ruby Diaz (Moises Sr.); Andrea Wegrich (Johnnie); Savanna Fletcher-Shilt (Jakob); Adan Macias (Marisela); Connor Fletcher; and fifteen great grandchildren; She is also survived by Margaret Baldenegro (Michael) and Vivian "Teresita" Richter (Mark), whom she loved as her own daughters. She was preceded in death by her parents, Rafael Sr and Francisca Villanueva, her sisters, Rosa “Rosie” Zavala, Angela “Raquel” Villanueva , and Mercedes “Mercie" Leyva, her brother Rafael Jr Villanueva and by her beloved husband, Francisco Arvizu, whom she married on November 3, 1951. Their marriage lasted 59 years until his passing in 2011.

She will be deeply and greatly missed.

All services will be held on Saturday, September 19, 2026. Viewing will take place at Brown‑Page Mortuary, 910 F Ave, Douglas, Arizona, at 8:00 a.m – 10:00 a.m. The Rosary will be prayed at St. Luke Catholic Church, 1211 E 15th St, Douglas, Arizona, at 10:30 a.m. The Funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m., and the burial will take place immediately afterward.