Irene Chavez

Irene Frutoz Chavez passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the age of 63. Irene was born in Fresno, California on July 19, 1950 to Vincent and Esperanza Frutoz. She grew up living in Sunset in West Fresno with her brother and six sisters. She attended school in Fresno and graduated from Central Union High School in 1969.

Irene had many different jobs over the years but the title she cherished most was the honored position of mom and grandma. She especially enjoyed the one on one time she spent with each of them, telling stories, teaching them things, or just lending an ear. She also found much enjoyment at family gatherings throughout the year surrounded by those she loved dearly. Through the years we saw her many sacrifices she made so her family did not do without.

She was spunky, loved life and knew how to have a good time. Mom lived her life the way she wanted and lived it with no regrets. Life never kept her down. She always had the inner strength to get back up and go on with a smile. Her philosophy was to take it with a grain of salt and a shot of tequila.

Mom seemed to have a gift for crafting. She was always crocheting or putting some other craft together. Mom seemed to have an endless supply of craft ideas and could make something out of nothing.

She loved the Lord and was never afraid of the day that He would call her home. We often times saw her each day reading her prayer book.

Mom was gracious and thankful for everything. Mom opened her heart and home to many people over the years. She was loved by so many and treated everyone as if she knew them for years. She was such a giving person, who would happily give her last dollar or the clothes off her back.

Mom will be forever in our hearts and missed every day until we meet again.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Esperanza Frutoz and her son, Pablo Lorenzo Frutoz.

She is survived by father, Vincent S. Frutoz; her children, Vicki Chavez and her husband Felipe, Maria Chavez and her boyfriend, Eric Gutierrez, Rosemary DeLeon and her husband Ernesto, Anna Juarez, and Joseph Chavez; her siblings, Danny Frutoz, Nadine Rivera, Isabel Gonsalez, Kathy Johnson, Hortensia Rodriguez, Mary C. Aguirre and Lydia Esquivel. Irene was also blessed by her 17 grandchildren, Angel Juarez, Beatrice Moreno, Violet Bonboster, Manuel Moreno Jr., Maricella Bonboster, Paul Juarez, William Bonboster Jr., Marcus Bonboster, Melissa DeLeon, Raymond Hurst Jr., Andre Alvarez, Sariah Chavez, Arianna Hurst, Joseph I. Chavez, Alan Alvarez III, Esiquio Alvarez, and Eric Gutierrez Jr. and 9 great-grandchildren, Wyatt Moreno, Destiny Jimenez, Briana Suniga, Angel Juarez Jr., Manuel Moreno III, Marc Anthony Yzquierdo, Jaccob Juarez, Anyssa Marquez, and Dorian Marquez.

Visitation will be Friday, March 14, 2014 from 2:00 - 7:00 at Stephens and Bean Chapel.

A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at Stephens & Bean Chapel on Friday, March 14th, 2014, at 7:00 pm.

Funeral Services will be held at Stephens and Bean Chapel, on Saturday, March 15th, 2014 at 10:00 am.

Entombment will follow at Fresno Memorial Gardens.

Remembrances can be made to Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 340 W. Fallbrook Ave., Suite 101, Fresno, CA 93711.