Nancy Serfass Ruiz

Nancy Serfass Ruiz, 73, passed away quietly November 5, 2016 after many years of enduring the consequences of a gut injury. Even in her last year when she was struggling, she was still gracious, cheerful, and considerate of others.  A neighbor said she was generous to a fault.  A former student wrote:  "I went into teaching because of you, and those 34 years were the happiest of my life."  Nancy practiced hope and charity and believed that there are angels growing everywhere on earth if one will merely elevate them.

Nancy was born in Bethlehem, PA, learned some French in the Moravian School, sang in the children's choir of the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, and studied Latin and German for three years in Nitschmann Junior High and Liberty High School.  Her parents, Earl James Serfass and Mabel Dowling Serfass, moved the family to St. Petersburg, FL when she entered her senior class year at Dixie M. Hollins High.  Her feelings of uncertainty and loneliness as an outsider in a new school shaped her lifetime of helping many adolescent students to achieve success in careers and in everyday living.

Nancy attended Florida Presbyterian College (now Eckerd College) in St. Pete., and was graduated from the University of Florida in 1965 with a teaching certificate and a speciality in foreign languages.  She taught students of Spanish and German at South Broward High School for thirty years.  She earned the Master's degree in Education from Nova Southeastern University and became head of the foreign language department at South Broward.  Her students were her pride and joy.  After her retirement from teaching, she designed and produced the Multicultural Activity Guide for the Broward County Public Schools and volunteered to tutor Spanish students gratis.  She looked forward to activities of the Broward County Retired Educators Association and the Girls Night Out group.

Nancy married Frederic A. Ruiz of Coral Gables, FL in 1968, and he predeceased her.  "Frau Ruiz," as she was sometimes called, is survived by a brother, Robert Serfass of Portland, OR and by many students who benefitted from her encouragement.  Friends, co-workers and students may recall her contagious and indomitable spirit.  She was no selfish giant; hers were the wounds of love.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name to the Scholarship Fund may be made out to the Broward County Retired Educators Association, Marelise LeClerc, Treasurer, 615 North 31st Road, Hollywood, FL 33021.  Please include a return address so that every donation may be acknowledged. 

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