Rosaura (Rose) Ruiz of Long Branch, NJ, passed away on August 20, 2014 at her home with her family by her side. Born on October 8, 1935 in Amarillas, Cuba, Rose was the daughter of Julio and Rosaura (Cha) Sotolongo. Although raised in a prominent and proper family with a father who was a judge, Rose insisted on defying convention every chance she got. She rode horses bareback at break-neck speeds; tore around dirt roads on a motorcycle, beat the boys at marbles and at fifteen years old, fell in love with Victor Ruiz, a known heartbreaker. After her college graduation from La Progresiva in Cardenas, Cuba, Rose married Victor and made official what was a sixty four year romance. With their young family, in 1965, they fled the Cuban revolution and began a new life in America. Grateful for the opportunity, Rose became a passionate patriot, and was nicknamed "Betsy Ross†by her children for her love of all things Red, White & Blue. In the late 60's she began her career with Planned Parenthood of Monmouth County as an outreach counselor, going into underserved communities to assist women with family planning. She would stay with Planned Parenthood for thirty two years, until her retirement. Rose excelled at growing roses and gardenias and there are generations of overweight Long Branch squirrels who have evolved beyond storing nuts in the winter because Rose made sure they were fed. She had a lifelong affair with cats, Cuban coffee, Disney and her beloved Yankees. She despised phonies, root beer, and the Red Sox. She is survived, but not forgotten by her husband Victor, her son, Julio J. (Cindy) Ruiz of Dahlonega, GA, her daughter Maria Ruiz Margenot, of Orlando, FL and her son Victor T. (Lisa Marie) Ruiz of Tinton Falls. She is watching over the grandchildren she thoroughly spoiled, Ashley Nicole Margenot of Orlando, FL, Matthew Ryan Ruiz of Dahlonega, GA, Brianna Marie Ruiz and Rachel Lauren Ruiz of Tinton Falls and her predeceased granddaughter Hannah Marie. She taught them to always carry a handkerchief, eat their vegetables, love animals and just to be thankful. Her children and grandchildren have pledged to spend their lives working to conquer Alzheimer's. Memorial donations may be made to alz.org to the Rosaura Ruiz Tribute Fund. Visitation will be 6-9 p.m. Monday, Aug. 25th at Woolley-Boglioli Funeral Home, 10 Morrell St., Long Branch. Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 26 at Star of the Sea RC Church, Long Branch. Interment will follow at Woodbine Cemetery, Oceanport. To place a message in Rosaura's Book of Memories, please visit www.woolleyboglioli.com