Jennifer Ruiz

Jennifer Ruiz 37, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home in Sycamore in the early morning hours of October 1, 2026, surrounded by her family, after a courageous battle with cervical cancer.

Jenny grew up in Carpentersville, Illinois, where she was outgoing, compassionate, and free-spirited from an early age. She was involved in Girl Scouts, played the clarinet in band, became a cheerleader in high school, and even spent some time pursuing modeling. Her caring and nurturing nature was simply part of who she was from the beginning.

Jenny attended Kishwaukee College and went on to become a CNA at Kishwaukee Hospital. Her love for the medical field grew from one of the most difficult experiences of her own life. When her son Noah received a heart transplant at just 10 weeks old, Jenny spent countless nights by his side in the hospital, both during his transplant and throughout his childhood as he faced the challenges that came with being immunosuppressed. Those experiences gave Jenny an even deeper compassion for others and inspired her to care for people during some of their most vulnerable moments.

Jenny met David through her brother Abram, who was one of David’s good friends, and the two began dating when Jenny was just 18 years old. For nearly 20 years, Jenny and David grew up together, built a life together, and raised their family side by side. David wasn’t only her husband, he was her best friend. They were rarely apart and did just about everything together.

Above everything else, Jenny loved being a mother. She had always dreamed of having a big family, and being a mom to Ian, David Jr., Noah, Emilio, and Elliana was the most important part of her life. Her children were her world, and there was nothing she wouldn’t do for them. Jenny was family first, always. Her nurturing nature extended to everyone she loved, and she was the heart of her family, always finding a reason to bring everyone closer together.

Jenny was diagnosed with cervical cancer in November 2025 and faced the months that followed with incredible courage and determination. She endured aggressive chemotherapy and radiation treatments, fighting every step of the way for more time with her children. She fought incredibly hard until the very end, surrounded in her final days by the family and friends who loved her.

Jenny is survived by her husband, David Ruiz; their five children, Ian Ruiz (17), David Ruiz (15), Noah Ruiz (14), Emilio Ruiz (5), and Elliana Ruiz (2); her father, Donald Gould; and her siblings, Donna Fredrickson, Stephanie Gould, and Josh Gould, along with the many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends who loved her deeply.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Irma Gould, and her brother, Abram Perez.

Jenny’s family finds comfort knowing that she is no longer in pain and is now at peace with the Lord. Her life will continue through the five children she loved beyond measure, through David, who shared nearly 20 years by her side, and through the family she spent her life caring for and bringing together. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 at Dundee Funeral Home 485 Dundee Ave., East Dundee Illinois (Across from the Dundee Township East Cemetery on Rt. 25 & 72) from 4pm. to 9pm. Mass of Christian Burial Saturday 10am. at St. Monica Catholic Church in Carpentersville. Interment St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery in Palatine.