Theresa Argueta Clark was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, on September 27, 1930. She was the beloved daughter of Adolfo Miguel Argueta and Frances Avelina Argueta.

Theresa had a joyful and adventurous early childhood, traveling across the country, from New Orleans to Los Angeles, staying in luxury hotels and even hobnobbing at times with movie stars, as her father plied his trade as a pharmaceutical salesman.

That lifestyle came to an abrupt end when Theresa’s father Adolfo died suddenly when she was only 11. That left Frances to raise her four young children as a single mother.

Theresa had three siblings, her sister, Martha, who was two years older, brother, Adolfo, who was six years younger, and sister Ramona, who was eight years younger.

With Frances working full-time to support the family, Theresa stepped up to help raise her younger siblings. Her brother Adolfo remembers her as a “second mother,” who not only taught them to read and write but also to have fun - teaching them games such as hopscotch, jump rope, and jacks. She also, undoubtedly, taught them how to keep an immaculate house, something Theresa would take great pride in for the remainder of her life.

Theresa graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1950 and remained connected through the years to several of her childhood classmates, even attending her 50th high school reunion in 2000.

In 1952, Theresa married a serviceman who was stationed in Albuquerque and visiting Santa Fe. From that brief marriage, she welcomed her first two sons, Charlie and Michael. A few years later, while working at the gift shop in the beautiful La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe, she met the love of her life, Jim Clark—the man who would become Charlie and Michael’s real dad in every sense of the word. Theresa and Jim were married in 1958 and shared 52 wonderful years together.

In 1960, their first child together, Jacob, was born in Santa Fe. Two years later, Jim somehow convinced Theresa to leave her beloved Santa Fe and move to Austin, Texas, where they would spend the rest of their lives. In Austin, their family grew with the birth of Rebecca in 1965, and then, to everyone’s surprise, John in 1974.

Over the years, Theresa took on many roles both inside and outside the home. In addition to being a devoted mother and homemaker, she also kept the books and financial records for her husband’s painting and roofing business, was a Scout den mother, sold Avon products, became a real estate agent, and had several years of service with the City of Austin. After officially retiring, she later found joy working with young children at Brentwood Christian Daycare Center.

As a devoted Catholic, one of the most meaningful experiences of Theresa’s spiritual life was a pilgrimage with her church community to Medjugorje —a journey that nourished both her adventurous heart and her deep, abiding faith.

One of Theresa’s greatest joys was cooking, a passion she passed on to all of her children. She had a true gift for hospitality—always making enough to feed an army—and she delighted in gathering people around her table to share a meal. Many of the family’s favorite dishes have been handed down through the years, rooted in the flavors of New Mexico and rich with red and green chiles. From stews and enchiladas to sopapillas and of course, her beloved Santa Fe Cake, Theresa could spend hours in the kitchen, lovingly preparing meals that nourished both body and soul.

Theresa didn’t just cook—she loved to talk about cooking, think about cooking, and teach others how to cook. She welcomed her children , grandchildren and great grandchildren into her kitchen, sharing not only her recipes but her stories, her laughter, and her love. Her meals were more than food—they were an expression of her care and a cornerstone of her family’s life together.

Theresa was preceded in death by her loving husband Jim Clark and her eldest son, Charlie Clark.

She is survived by her children, Michael Clark and wife Shannon, Jacob Clark and wife Laura, Rebecca Clark, John Clark and partner Melody English; by 11 grandchildren - Heidi Clark, Robert Hein and partner Evelyn Alejandro, Michael Hein and wife Takara, Landon Clark and fiancé Tiffany Allen, Rachael Pence and partner Darren Allen, Monica Brorman and husband Kent, Chelsea Bennett and husband Kyle, Jordan Perusquia, Rory Armentor and husband Adam, Jessie Heinrich and husband Burl, and Chris Bradsher and wife Hillary. She is also survived by 14 great grandchildren whom she absolutely adored.

A celebration of Theresa’s life will be held on Saturday, June 14 at 2 PM in the Garden Room at Brookdale Westlake Hills 1034 Liberty Park Dr. Austin, Texas 78746. 

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