On July 6, 2025, our beloved Elizabeth Mary Ruiz Exum passed away at UC San Diego Jacobs Medical Center after a courageous fight with pancreatic cancer. She was 63.

Diagnosed in March 2024 with stage IV pancreatic cancer, she met every moment with strength, grace, and her unmistakable sense of humor. Her treatment gave us more time than expected, and she lived those months with purpose, focusing on family, faith, and making others feel seen. Unfortunately, this spring, her health began to decline, and despite every effort, she passed due to complications from the disease.

Elizabeth, known to many as Lisa, and to her close friends as Liz, was the heart of our family. She had a rare gift for making people feel like they belonged. Her love reached far beyond her immediate circle, and she shared it freely with warmth, loyalty, and a quiet strength that made everyone feel at home. She welcomed others without hesitation, gave of herself fully, and lifted people up with wisdom, laughter, and unwavering support. Her presence made everything feel more grounded, more joyful, and more full of love.

Education was one of the greatest passions of Lisa’s life. As a proud first-generation college graduate, she understood the transformative power of education and made it her mission to pass that gift on to others, especially her children, whose academic and personal achievements brought her immense pride.

Lisa dedicated nearly 40 years to public education, beginning as a high school art teacher and later serving as an assistant principal. She made a lasting impact at Mt. Miguel High School, San Ysidro High School, and Olympian High School, where she had the special privilege of working alongside her husband, Steve, her son, Steven, and several other family members. Her work didn’t just shape classrooms, it shaped lives. In recognition of her outstanding commitment to students and excellence in teaching, she was honored with the prestigious “Teacher of the Year” award.

Grounded in her Catholic faith, she lived a life of compassion and conviction. She believed in showing up for people, doing what was right even when it was hard, and offering kindness without condition. She lived with humility, humor, and heart, and we are all better because of her.

Now, as we prepare to honor her life, we are facing the unexpected weight of medical expenses and funeral costs. We are doing everything we can to manage, but we are also asking for help… something she never hesitated to offer others, and something we ask for now with humility and deep gratitude.

If you feel called to support, any contribution, no matter the size, would be truly appreciated. Every dollar will go directly toward funeral expenses, hospital bills, and helping us honor her life with the dignity, warmth, and love she gave so freely.

Thank you for reading, for remembering her, and for comforting us during this time. We will share details about her celebration of life in the days to come.

With love,

The Exum Family