Isela Inez Fregoso went home to be with the Lord on July 8, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on May 25, 1960, in Los Angeles, California, to Oscar and Frances Fregoso. The youngest of four children and the only daughter, Isela moved with her family to El Paso, Texas, where she continued her education and graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1978.

      Isela was a longtime resident of El Paso until 2006, when she relocated to Las Vegas, New Mexico, to be closer to her family. From a young age, she had a deep love for music and the arts. While in high school, she was a member of the guitar club and helped form a girl band of guitar players and singers called Fuzzy and the Fuzzettes. She loved entertaining family and friends with her music.

      After graduation, Isela went on to perform in several plays, including Man of La Mancha, in which she played Dulcinea, as well as Joan of Arc, The Helen Keller Story, and many others. She also headlined in Viva El Paso for several seasons. She later became a mother and continued her education at UTEP, where she earned an associate degree in liberal arts. Although she deeply hoped to continue her studies, life led her to devote herself to caring for her family.

      Isela became a devoted homemaker, caring for her daughter while also working part-time jobs that allowed her to remain present for the moments that mattered most. She lovingly passed her passion for music and the arts on to her daughter and, later, to her grandsons. She sang and played guitar in the church choir at San Juan Bautista Catholic Church and shared her gifts with the nuns of the adjacent convent. At family gatherings, Isela was often entertainment, filling the room with music, joy, and love.

      She also found time to learn how to coach basketball through the YMCA at her daughter’s elementary school. Isela helped teach her daughter how to play the violin and clarinet, encouraging creativity, discipline, and confidence. She enjoyed painting, drawing, singing, and dancing, and she shared those joys with her daughter and grandsons.

      Above all, Isela cherished making memories with her family. She loved road trips, karaoke, concerts, and reminiscing about the many amazing concerts she attended with her older brothers and cousins. In her later years, she enjoyed cheering on her grandsons from the field or the court. She also loved watching football with her daughter and cheering for the San Francisco 49ers, though she remained a true Los Angeles Rams fan, as they were her hometown team.

      Isela was a loving, gentle, kind, and forgiving soul. Her tenderness, laughter, music, and love will be dearly missed by all who knew her until we meet again.

      She was preceded in death by her parents, Frances Ruedas-Fregoso and Oscar Fregoso, and her brother, Hector Fregoso. She is survived by her daughter, Christina Fregoso; her grandsons, Gilbert Ornelas III and Roman Fregoso; her brothers, David Fregoso and wife Adela, and Richard Fregoso; her nieces, Roxanne Fregoso and Ashley Fregoso; her nephew, David Fregoso Jr. and wife Karina; her grandniece, Kianna Fregoso; as well as many cousins and friends. 

Funeral Service:

San Jose Funeral Home East

Thursday, July 16, 2026

Visitation from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Rosary at 6:00 pm

Funeral Mass:

St. Pius X Catholic Church

Friday, July 17, 2026 at 10:00 am

Interment:

Mt. Carmel Cemetery at 11:45 pm