Lenny Gerarda Ruygt

Lenny Gerarda Ruygt - RUYGT, LENNY GERARDA - Lenny died in Santa Rosa, California on January 31, 2010, at the age of 58. She is the beloved wife of Nick Franceschine, of Santa Rosa, CA and beloved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Louis and Helen Ruygt of Napa, CA. She is the beloved sister of Marian (Zack) Van Voast, Jake (April) Ruygt, Rev. Hans Ruygt, Helma Haines, and Louis (Elizabeth) Ruygt. She is survived by ten nieces and nephews, two grand-nephews and many other relatives in the U.S. and in The Netherlands. Lenny was born Magdalena Gerarda Wilhelmina Ruygt in Pijnacker, The Netherlands on December 12, 1951 and emigrated with her parents to Napa, California in 1956. She attended St. John the Baptist Catholic Elementary School, Siena Catholic High School and received a business degree at Empire Business College in Santa Rosa. She worked for two years at Kaiser Health Clinic in Napa and five years at Kaiser Pharmacy in South San Francisco. She married Alfredo Fisher in 1974 who later passed away. They had no children. She moved to Santa Rosa in 1990. Lenny spent her many years in Santa Rosa as a member of St. Eugene"s Cathedral and most recently, St. Rose Parish. Her battles with diabetes that began at the age of three, took a toll on her body but she always focused ahead with great courage and faith. She lost her kidneys and eye sight at the age of 28 but received a kidney from her brother, Hans. Despite the challenges, with new life and vigor she managed to live independently with the caring support of wonderful friends and family. She enjoyed being involved in life and loved to socialize. She volunteered regularly for the Red Cross and Kaiser Hospital in Santa Rosa. In 1999 diabetes caused the amputation of her lower legs and she was told she would never walk again, but her determined spirit proved them wrong again as she practiced bravely until she could manage walking in familiar places on her own and with help even walked up the aisle at her wedding, and recently brought up the offertory gifts of bread and wine at her parents" 60th wedding anniversary Mass. With the exuberance of a young bride, in 2008 she married Nick Franceschine at St. Rose Catholic Church with her brother Fr. Hans officiating. She was warmly received by Nick"s large family of eight children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Lenny was involved with her husband in St. Rose Parish, the Knights of Columbus and the Italian Catholic Federation. Together they visited the sick and brought them Holy Communion.