Clara Armijo Lopez

Our precious mother, grandmother, and aunt passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family and loved ones. We are very proud of her courage and resilience during her battle, which was representative of her love and zest for life – fighting to the end. Her passing leaves many saddened, yet forever inspired by her forward-mindedness – that remarkable ability she had helped her to overcome adversity, hardships, and health challenges - all the while retaining a childlike trust in God and joy of living. She will be sorely missed by so many.

Born and raised in Reserve, New Mexico, she was the youngest child in a large family, and the daughter of a cowboy rancher/farmer and a strong-willed frontier woman. In this rural setting, surrounded by her older brothers and sisters, she blossomed into a stunning young woman. Her beauty contrasted dramatically with the grit of hard country life. It was there that she and her family became Seventh-day Adventists, forming part of the Reserve church where many of her loved ones are now buried. She migrated with her family to Utah in the early 1950s, where they all set a new course in life - keeping their hometown close to their hearts and fast on their lips. Their shared experiences soon became the stories their children, and their children’s children heard over the dinner table at many family gatherings. Many worked in Utah mines and various other industries, and became early residents of towns like Lark, Bingham, West Jordan, Midvale, and Granger.

She was a loving wife to Enos whom she married in October of 1955. And as their home became full of children, she became more and more devoted to her spiritual walk, as well. She often sought to inspire her children and others to follow her in her journey of faith – encouraging them to trust in God, to pray and to learn more about Him in the scriptures.

She worked for many years as a hard-working waitress at various Salt Lake Mexican restaurants. She often worked skillfully alone as a one-woman band – simultaneously playing the parts of hostess, waitress, and cashier all in one. She worked hard to provide a better life for her family than she experienced herself growing up, and for that, we are eternally grateful for the example of her work ethic, fortitude and grace. She had bravery, also, to take on new challenges as she progressed from her restaurant work, to working at Abbott Laboratories where she learned whole new skill sets, which would take her through to her retirement.

In her retirement years, she stayed true to her friendly nature. Uninhibited and unabashedly, she would make quick and authentic friendships with so many who would cross her path. She volunteered as a greeter for her church, and shared decades of kind exchanges with her lifelong neighbors.

She is preceded in death by her parents: Luis Serna Armijo and Aurora Romero; her husband: Jose Enos Lopez; all her siblings: Pablo, Marian, Crescencio (Chencho), Inez, Isaias, Serafin, Lorenzo (Larry), Dominga (Lilly), Genoveva (Genevieve), Pedro (Pete); and her son-in-law Joe Anthony Gonzales.

She is survived by her children: Rudy, Esther Gonzales, Reggie (Nancy), Kevin (Michelle) and Beverly Parra (Carlos); her grandchildren: Marcel, Abel, Nicholas, Marquise, Renee, Jonathan, Louis, Vanessa, Lyndsay, Gabriel E., Gabriel A., Diego, and Jose; and many beloved great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.

Being the last to pass away amongst her many siblings, Clara’s life reflects her enduring spirit, and the legacy of her strong and beautiful family. We have been so blessed to have her as our mom – she will forever be in our hearts.

The funeral service and gravesite committal will take place at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Valley View Memorial Park and Funeral Home, 4335 West 4100 South, West Valley City, Utah 84120.

A reception will follow from 5p to 9p at Aspen Landing at 6388 South Redwood Rd, Taylorsville, UT 84123.