DOVER - Theresa Ruiz passed away Friday, Oct. 4, 2013 at home. Coming from a humble beginning, she got her independence on the streets of New York, thankfully a friend took her in and gave her a sense of family. She made it through the struggles of life early and set her own course. Theresa was adventurous, loved people, served many, and cared much. She was a mentor to those stuck in the system, as she believed there was a way out with love and an open heart. She saw a need and her heart told her to go be with these people who were troubled and lost. Marrying, becoming an Air Force wife, she traveled to Ruislip, England where her first son Fernando "Skip" Ruiz, III, local Realtor, was born in 1956. Returning to the States to reside in Annapolis, her daughter, Adeline Carmen Ruiz an IT Specialist who now lives in Anchorage, Alaska, arrived in 1959. Mom continued to travel to California, Hawaii, back to California and New York. Arriving in Delaware in 1968, she worked and studied hard to become a stylist. With a desire for independence, she opened "Hair We Are" in 1982 and for many years until retirement she worked, taught others, served people and gave opportunities for excellence. Her son, Steven Matthew Ruiz was born in 1971 in Dover and is currently a Chef at Deep Blue in Wilmington, Del. "Terrie" had great pride in her children and grandchildren speaking of them often. She made several trips to Anchorage, Alaska to see her grandsons who later came to Delaware for a month. They enjoyed the beach and she showed them the local sites. A trip in 2010 to Disney World was organized by her to celebrate Steven's children, Makayla 10 and Kason 8, giving them both the thrill of their first plane ride and the Mickey/Minnie experience with all the trimmings, including Sea World. This Family trip will always be remembered. She was an avid reader and loved to sit in her back yard under the tree deep in her current book. In recent years she embraced technology and loved her Kindle and laptop which gave her access to face book and a way to see her grand kids on a daily basis virtually as she checked for the latest picture posted. She is now resting in peace and joining her mother, Carmen O. Vergara in Heaven; along with her sisters, Pat Rosario and Carmen Leon. She is survived by her sons, Fernando Ruiz, III and Steven Matthew Ruiz; daughter, Adeline McEwen; sisters, Mary Romero of New York, and Gladys Martinez of Puerto Rico; brothers, Ronald Martinez of New York, and Elliott Martinez of Fla.; grandsons, Shad and Sean Sheridan of Alaska; and many nieces and nephews who all loved her that she stayed in touch with. May she rest in Peace. Memorial services will be held 2 p.m., Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013 at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 E. Lebanon Road (Rt.10), Dover. Letters of condolences may be sent and guest book signed at www.torbertfuneral.com.