Family holds funeral service for family members who died in Tempe mobile home fire

Family and friends gathered at Saint Catherine of Siena Roman Catholic Church in Phoenix for a heartfelt funeral service honoring five family members who died in a tragic mobile home fire in Tempe. The service specifically paid tribute to 24-year-old Enrique Ruiz and his mother, 51-year-old Monica Ruiz, who lost their lives in the fire that occurred on August 25. The young daughters of Valerie Magana-Gonzalez, 18-month-old Ellany and 3-year-old Ariaelly, also perished in the incident. Valerie, their mother, was hospitalized with critical injuries for nearly three weeks before passing away on Saturday. As part of the mourning process, friends and family held a candlelight vigil outside the charred mobile home, where community members came together to show their support.

Mourners decorated a chain-link fence with pictures, flowers, and stuffed animals while holding lit candles and sharing prayers in Spanish. Synthia Ruiz, a sister of Enrique and daughter of Monica, expressed gratitude for the community's support during this difficult time. Donations for the Ruiz family can be made via a GoFundMe page, which has raised nearly $19,000 to help with expenses.