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Mollie Clark in her beautiful garden.
Amalia “Mollie” Ruiz Clark celebrated her 100th birthday on March 18, 2016. Many friends and family showed up to help her celebrate at her home in Oracle.
Mollie was born in Tucson, Arizona on March 18, 1916. She was the oldest of nine children born to immigrants from Sonora, Mexico. She was raised in Christmas, Arizona where she met her husband Thomas Clark Sr., they were married in 1934 at St. Helen’s Parish in Oracle. They lived in Tiger, Arizona until 1954 when the Tiger mine was closed. The Clarks moved their 900 square feet house from Tiger to Oracle.
Mollie’s cookbook is in its sixth printing.
Mollie raised three children. She has six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. She grew up in a traditional Mexican family where much of the family activity was centered on the kitchen. She learned to cook from her mother and learned the recipes, the flavors and smells of traditional Sonoran cooking. In 1977, she had her cookbook published. Amalia’s Special Mexican Dishes which was well received by the public. With the success of her book, she began teaching cooking classes in department stores and gourmet shops in Colorado, California and Arizona. The book is in its 6th printing and has been updated to include new easy to make recipes. It is still available at www.gilariverdesigns.com.
Happy Birthday, Mollie!
Mollie and her husband at their wedding day.
Mollie Clark and her family on their 50th wedding anniversary.
Mollie’s great press.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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