Rebecca "Becky" Arenas

Rebecca “Becky” Arenas was a woman who loved her family unconditionally, who had been strengthened by adversity, and who knew what hard work was all about. She was intelligent, talented, motivated and strong in her convictions, yet her great sense of humor and compassion brightened many lives. Although it is certain that Becky accomplished many great things throughout her life, she remained a very humble woman. She was very proud of receiving many high honors; however, it was her family and what she accomplished in helping those in crisis in her community that she was most proud of. Her life and her work are an inspiration to all.

Rebecca’s (or Becky as she was called) story began in 1935, a notoriously harsh time in the history of the United States. The country was in the depths of the Great Depression, an event that took its toll on everything from the largest factory to the smallest family. For Miguel and Maria Arenas of Crystal City, Texas, it was a time of hope as they welcomed the birth of their daughter, Rebecca, on July 11, 1935. Becky was one of seven children with four brothers, Arturo, Ramiro, Ricardo and Reynaldo, and 2 sisters, Raquel and Rosa Maria. Her family moved from Texas to Western Michigan in the early 1940s, where her father found work at Timmer’s farm in West Olive. Eventually, her father got a job in the Heinz factory, which led the family to put down roots in Holland. Here, the Arenas family were members of St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, and this strong Catholic upbringing was always an important part of Becky’s life.

Becky graduated from Holland High School with the class of 1954. Her life soon took a new direction when she was introduced to Leo Rivera through family members. They were a very fine-looking couple and he certainly knew how to sweep her off her feet while dancing. The two fell in love and were married on November 20, 1954, at St. Francis de Sales. After a romantic honeymoon at Niagara Falls, they settled into married life together in Holland. Over the next few years, Becky and Leo filled their hearts and home with the joy and busyness of seven children: Marco, Mario, Marguerite, Monica, Mauro, Magdalena and Marcel. A hard worker and dedicated mother, Becky was an excellent example to her children. She taught them good habits and strong values that would guide them through their lives.

Becky’s marriage to Leo ended in divorce in 1967. Strong and independent, she worked hard over the next several years to earn her BA, attending universities in Texas and Michigan. Becky succeeded in her quest and graduated from Hope College in 1985. During this time, Becky worked at Life Services Systems for a time before taking a job at Ottawa County Mental Health. Here, her compassion and care touched many women and children who she helped in their time of crisis. Becky’s dedication to her work earned her great respect among her co-workers and in her community and also in the Muskegon community.

Becky was proud of her heritage and drew great strength from it, standing up for things she believed were important. Her achievements and awards exemplified her pioneering spirit. She was one of the first Hispanic athletic sisters and Dutch dancers at Holland High School, and she also helped start the Crusillo movement in Holland. Becky’s captivating grace and beauty garnered her the title of Latin American Society Queen of Grand Rapids. As a teacher, Becky was instrumental in promoting the summer migrant Head Start program. A successful bid for St. Francis de Sales Church Council began a series of campaigns for Holland School Board and Holland City Council for Councilman-at-Large in 1977, and as a candidate for the second ward in 1979. She also ran for State Representative, twice, as the Democratic candidate. Additionally, she was appointed by Governor Milliken as a member of La Raza Unida to the State Comprehensive Health Planning Advisory Council, was a founding member of Latin Americans United for Progress (LAUP), and served as secretary of the Community Action House for three years.

Her lifetime achievement in social justice was acknowledged by the Cesar Chavez Recognition Award in Washington D.C. in March 2000, and the Cesar Chavez Golden Citizen Achievement Award in 2010. Becky was also recognized by the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute for voter registration drives and received the Willie C. Velasquez Award. She is a nominee for the 2012 State of Michigan Women’s Hall of Fame.

Although the demands of Becky’s work required many hours and sacrifices, she found time to enjoy life pursuing some of her favorite hobbies and interests. Becky loved to travel and had been to exciting places like Texas, Mexico, Washington, Chicago, the Caribbean, California, Las Vegas and the Upper Peninsula in Michigan. Her favorite place to visit, of course, was her childhood stomping grounds in Crystal City, Texas, the spinach capital of the world. Rich in culture, Becky enjoyed music, particularly Mariachi and traditional music, and Vicente Fernandez. Her favorite songs included De Colores, a traditional folk song, and Un Dia A La Vez. Becky loved working as a Guadalupana . She liked horror movies, the PBS channel, Clint Eastwood and Charles Bronson, collecting tea cups and gardening. Above all, Becky loved being surrounded by her family, and loved spending her time being a mother, grandmother and great grandmother to the people who brought her life immeasurable joy.

Although Becky will be missed dearly, she leaves her loved ones with a legacy of kindness, responsibility and selflessness. The lessons she taught by her example will continue to influence them for years to come.

Rebecca (Becky) Arenas passed away peacefully at Holland Hospice surrounded by her children and immediate family following a short but courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Becky is preceded in death by her father, Miguel Arenas, her brother, Reynaldo Arenas, her mother, Maria Arenas, and a granddaughter, Anna Rivera. She is survived by her children: Marco Rivera (Becky Trask), Mario Rivera (Sandra), Marguerite Bermann (Phillip), Monica Peach (Michael), Mauro Rivera, Magdalena Rivera, Marcel Rivera (Heather Knoll); and her siblings: Arturo Arenas (Cathy), Ramiro Arenas (Pat), Raquel Guerrero (Ignacio), Ricardo Arenas (Cindy), and Rosa Maria Arenas. She is also survived by her grandchildren: Sarah Rivera Billings, Luke and Taylor Wiley, Louie Jr. and Michael Rivera, Angela Tapia, Azariah Rivera, Tristan, Christiana and Ariana Peach, and Gabriel Rivera; and her great-grandchildren: Destanee, Rihanna and Kristine; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, November 4, at St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church, 195 West 13th Street, Holland. Burial will be in Pilgrim Home Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. with Wake Prayers at 8 p.m. on Thursday, November 3, at the Dykstra Funeral Homes-Mulder Chapel, 188 West 32nd Street in Holland. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Becky’s name to the Latin American United for Progress Scholarship Fund and Women in Transition are appreciated.