Rachel Clark

Arriaga Clark (nee Gonzalez) 91, passed away peacefully in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Wednesday, January 3, 2018. - Rachel was born in San Luis Potosi, Mexico on March 2, 1926 to Manuel and Mercedes (Ayala) Gonzalez. She came from a large family of 12 brothers and sisters. Rachel was married in 1948 in San Luis Potosi and moved to Grand Rapids shortly after her marriage and in 1955 along with her husband she opened one of the first Mexican restaurants in Grand Rapids Fiesta Restaurant. Fiesta was originally located near the corner of Madison Avenue and Hall Street in Madison Square on the southeast side of GR. At one point there were 5 locations in the West Michigan area. As there were very few people of Hispanic descent in Grand Rapids at that time, Fiesta became a hub for Hispanic people of all nationalities, creating many lasting friendships. On Friday nights, her friends would bring their guitars and voices and have a sing-a-long for hours much to the delight of her customers. Rachel was a mentor and role model to many young Hispanic people moving to the West Michigan area, inspiring them through her hard work and success. Throughout the 50's, 60's and 70's, many Spanish Teachers in the Grand Rapids area would bring their classes to Fiesta Restaurant to hear the music and get a real life Spanish lesson. Rachel was also an aspiring artist and her beautiful paintings deorate the walls of many family members homes. She had a sparkling personality to the end and loved to joke, laugh and sing. - Rachel is survived by her beloved daughter Theresa (Clay) Noble, her best friend and sister Elizabeth Manwaring, her sister Emma Castillo and her brother Rogelio Gonzalez; many nieces and nephews including Mary (Mark) Bodtke, Elena (Steve) Pozza and Kathy (Tim) Walsh; grand nieces and nephews including Elizabeth, Tommy and Maria Pozza and Sydney and Samantha Walsh. We all loved her so and will miss her warm personality, laughter, teasing and positive (and practical) outlook on life. Te amamos. She is preceded in death by her Mother, Father and her siblings, Maria Luisa, Mercedes, Esperanza, Victor and 4 siblings who died in infancy; many other relatives including her brother-in-law Roger Manwaring. - There will be a Memorial Service in Rachel's honor on Saturday, January 20 at Michigan Cremation and Funeral Care, 3627 Linden Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49548 with visitation at 12:00 noon and Memorial Service at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her name to Dementia Friendly Grand Rapids, 3215 Eaglecrest Dr NE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49525. Michigan Cremation and Funeral Care.