Clara Mosquera

Clara Mosquera (née María Clara Criollo Riveros) 1933-2022

Her Love Expressed Through Devotion to Faith, Family, Community and Others.

Señora Clara was the unrelenting matriarch to our family, having left her small village of Une (Colombia) to arrive in the U.S. in 1966. She became one of the cornerstones of the Colombian community in Chicago, through her outreach to newcomers, and her devotion to Ravenswood Presbyterian Church and its Music Institute. Along with a small group of parents and educators, her advocacy and support of bilingual education helped revolutionize education in Chicago Public Schools. The program they founded, Inter-American Magnet School, became a blueprint for dual language immersion education nationwide. Those who knew Señora Clara could attest to her fierce devotion to her family, her dedication to those less fortunate, and her humility and kindness. Her courage and self-sacrifice paved the road for a better future for many, and inspired others to follow.

Among those who will mourn her loss but lovingly remember Señora Clara are her children, Clara “Pía” and Lumumba Mosquera; her sister, Isabel Rubí; brother, Jaime Riveros; her grandchildren and daughter-in-law, Anaïs and Adria Mosquera and Vjosa Bruncaj; and her beloved nieces and nephews, all who represent her legacy. Her passing was preceded by that of her husband, Francisco “Pacho” Mosquera; her lifelong friend, Olga Durán; her siblings Clementina Muñoz, Angel María Criollo, Rogelio Criollo, Paulina Criollo.

A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2022 at 1:00PM (viewing) and 2:00PM (service) at Ravenswood Presbyterian Church, 4300 N. Hermitage Ave, Chicago. All who were touched by Señora Clara’s life are welcome and invited to share fond memories of her.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Clara Mosquera, please visit our floral store.