Naveah Ruff Obituary

Naveah Alyce Ruff

Jul 20, 2006 - Sep 2, 2024

St. Augustine

Naveah Alyce Ruff, 18, a radiant light to many, our Veah Beah, our Chunk, passed away tragically Monday, Sept. 2, 2024.

She was born with a beautiful smile July 20, 2006, in Sandusky, to Patrick and Nicole Ruff. Naveah was a source of joy from birth.

Naveah cherished many summers in Ohio with her family, particularly enjoying trips to Cedar Point amusement park. She lived to be thrilled! Even the winters helping her Grandma Peggy shovel snow gave her significant enjoyment and memories.

In 2011, Naveah and her family relocated to Florida. Despite starting kindergarten in a new place, her outgoing personality and infectious smile quickly won her many friends. In middle school, she began playing lacrosse with The Grizzlies. She was an amazing athlete, everything you would want, talented, and aggressive. Naveah's junior year in high school came with the challenge of rezoning to a new high school, starting a new lacrosse team. Many of her teammates she never played with, she was in a familiar predicament. However, her positive energy and gift of making friends led her to be co-captain of the varsity team. Naveah took great pride as she helped coach and lead the team. She loved being a team captain and earned many awards, lettering twice. She loved people and being a part of things. Naveah recently graduated Beachside High School where she maintained A-B Honor Roll. She took her classes very serious and loved her classmates and teachers. She held high regard for her coach, Grayson Corbett, praising her often and how she might help her coach one day. Naveah loved her job as a chef and enjoyed her co-workers at Tap's Bar and Grill. Last week, Naveah went with her Grandma Kelly to register to vote and volunteered to work at the polls. She was excited to be an adult and take part in shaping our country.

Her most admirable role in life was being a big sister. As a sister, Naveah loved, nurtured, and annoyed her siblings with the passion only a middle child could. Being the second oldest, but the oldest sister, GOD perfectly positioned her beautifully in our family. She was a born leader. Naveah loved her siblings. They had a very close bond. Not only was she Meila's Irish twin, Naveah was Meila's comfort as well. She was Capria's protector. Naveah admired her older brother Bryson, often seeking his advice. She watched out for her siblings and always had their back. We know she will continue that and be our special guardian angel. Naveah was her parents biggest helper, someone they could always depend on. She enjoyed their family card game "Get Down." She played with great skill and even better trash talk. Naveah loved the beach, going every chance she had, playing in the waves and laying in the sun. She was a Daddy's girl with her Mom's flare for adventure and fun. She was the light in our lives and many others. A gift of positive energy, she wanted others to come into her life and depart her feeling even better. Her parents were very proud of who she was and how she treated those around her. Perhaps her greatest gift to this world was her true enjoyment for life and the friendship she extended.

We are left devastated with the untimely passing of our sweet Naveah, our daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend. Only GOD knows how we will move forward without her. We do know Naveah will forever remain in our hearts.

Naveah is survived by her parents, Nicole and Patrick Ruff; brother, Bryson Borden-Terzo; sisters, Meila and Capria Ruff; grandparents, Steve and Peggy Ruff; Grandma Kelly; and many cherished aunts, uncles and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her beloved Uncle Robby; fabulous Aunt Donna; her GG, her Big Poppa- The Beast Bickley; great-grandma Butch; and great-grandma and grandpa Ruff.

Thank you for being a friend to our sweet girl, giving her life on earth, joy, and happiness.

Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 9, 2024, and 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024, until the time of Naveah's celebration of life at 11 a.m., all at Hardage-Giddens St. Johns, 1285 St. Johns Parkway, Saint Johns, Florida 32259.