Marian Ruth Jeffers Cruz

Marian Ruth Jeffers Cruz was born in Bloomington and raised in Anderson, Ind.

She graduated from Anderson Senior High School in 1965 and from Wishard (Marion County General Hospital) in 1971.

She continued to work as a registered nurse at Wishard Hospital for 40 years. She saw and helped to implement many changes over the years. She was proud to be able to sign the last beam to go up in the new Eskenazi building.

She leaves behind Norbert Schott, her lifetime love; two daughters, Amy Jost (Ben) and Leah Starcher (Ray); her grandchildren, the loves of her life, Samuel Jost, Sarah Jost, Miah Starcher and Antonio Shields; her mother, Mildred Jeffers; and her brothers, Gary Jeffers (Jessie Creselious) and Stephen Jeffers.

Preceding her in death were her son, Paul Cruz, and father, Albert Jeffers.

She died from a pulmonary disease of unidentified cause. Pulmonary Fibrosis is a little understood condition with a myriad of causes. A non-smoker her entire life, she was quite surprised by this diagnosis. She has donated her lungs and other organs to research of the disease.

Although she loved flowers, she requested that in lieu of flowers, that donations to the PFF (Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 E. Ohio St., Suite 304, Chicago, IL 60611, Tel: 888-733-6741 or at www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org) be made instead, in hopes that a cure will be found soon to this horrible disease.

She loved trees and birds and planted more than 1,000 trees and enjoyed watching the antics of the birds at the feeders and fountain every day. She loved her church and tried to keep Jesus Christ first in her life. Her wish is that you all love your life to the fullest for her.

Visitation will be on Monday, July 28 at Bittles and Hurt Funeral Home, Greencastle, from 5-8 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 29 at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church, Greencastle, with Fr. Stephen Jarrell officiating.

Interment will follow at Roachdale Cemetery.

Condolences and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family at www.BittlesandHurt.com.