Helen O. Fresquez, age 98, a resident of Upper San Pedro, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 5, 2026.

Helen is preceded in death by her husband Joe C. Fresquez, her infant daughter Guadalupe Fresquez, her parents Chana and Catalino Ortiz, her brother Horace Ortiz, her sisters Laura Borrego, Eva Garcia, Gaby Lujan, and Dora Maez, and her son-in-law Jerry Gray.

Helen was born in Durango, Colorado and raised in Nambe, New Mexico. She then attended an all-girls boarding school at Mt. Saint Euphrasia in Denver, CO. As a young girl she loved to read, a passion that she carried with her throughout her entire life. She loved telling stories about her school days. After returning to New Mexico, she worked as a Bookkeeper at St Vincent Hospital followed by Zia Company in Los Alamos.

Helen then met Joe Fresquez at a Thanksgiving dance and was immediately attracted to him because of his good looks and great dancing. From that moment she knew that she was going to marry him, and they were married for 69 years. Together they raised six children and were further blessed with eight grandchildren, nine great grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild. She was a devout and faithful Catholic and a long-time member of La Iglesia de Santa Cruz Altar Society and volunteered for various church committees. She also had a deep passion for gardening, which was evident to all who saw the many flowers at her home. She lived a full life, filled with energy and love. When we would ask her why she was always so happy, she replied, "Because I've lived the life I wanted."

Helen is survived by her children Horace Fresquez, Marquita Velasquez(Alex), Imelda Fresquez (John Jansonius), Velda Gray (preceded by death Jerry), Anita Montoya (David), and Veronica Cordova (Arnold). She is also survived by her half-sister AnaBell Ortiz; her Grandchildren Joseph Fresquez, Melissa Gonzales, John Ceballes, Heather Nelson, Brian Gray, Marisa Montoya, Stephen and Nicolas Cordova; her Great Grandchildren Amila and Ayanna Fresquez, Kristen, Amaya and Diego Maestas, Frankie Gonzales, Emma, Trent Nelson, Blayke Montoya, and Esmé Cordova; and her Great-Great Grandchild Liam Lujan. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, cousins, friends, and neighbors.

The family would like to thank all the relatives, neighbors, and friends who visited Helen over the years at her home in San Pedro and at Casa Subina.

Thank you to Casa Subina in Albuquerque for the care provided to our mom and their caregivers. A special thank you to Bianca Garcia Lucero for her kindness and thoughtfulness in sending mom flowers every week at Casa Subina.

Rosary will take place on Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 10:30am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, followed by funeral mass at 11:00am. Burial will take place at 2:00 pm at the Santa Fe National Cemetery.

The family has entrusted the care of our mom to DeVargas Funeral Home and Crematory of Espanola, NM.