After a life of love and quiet grace, Isabel Christina Sotelo of Camarillo, CA has passed.
What follows is written with love, by those who knew her best.
The lessons of a parent travel forward, often without their name attached.
Isabel Christina Sotelo, known to friends and family as Christina, Aunty Isabel, Aunt Chris, and
Abuelita, passed away on April 25, 2026, in Camarillo, California.
Isabel was born in Los Angeles on October 1, 1964. Isabel was raised in Los Angeles in a family
that was guided by dedication to a Protestant faith and strong moral convictions. Family was
always at the heart of her life, and she cherished each member of her beloved family. Isabel's life
deeply enriched the lives of her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and all who knew her.
Isabel carried herself with quiet strength and resilience that inspired those who knew her, and she
provided a steady and grounding influence to her family throughout her life.
Isabel put herself through college while working and raising her family. She earned a degree in
Business Administration from the University of La Verne, an achievement that supported a long
and meaningful career as a Business Finance Manager for the United States Government at Naval
Air Station Point Mugu in California. For over 35 years, she contributed to important government
programs and worked alongside engineers and scientists who respected her professionalism and
integrity. She was admired for her intelligence, dedication, and the pride she took in her work.
Isabel raised her three children, George, Lisette, and Christina, with the same strong convictions
regarding faith and family that guided her life. After her children finished college and built
successful lives of their own, Isabel embraced a love of travel and adventure, especially alongside
her husband, Scott. She found joy in exploring new places, traveling across the United States,
throughout Europe, and into South America, where she climbed Machu Picchu. She sought out
both beauty and adventure, from a river excursion in Costa Rica to snorkeling with sharks and
rays in Tahiti, hiking in Death Valley, and taking in breathtaking views from a helicopter over
Kauai and the Kilauea volcano. Wherever she went, Isabel faced her life with an openness to
adventure, along with courage and a sense of fun.
Isabel had a love for music and enjoyed attending concerts featuring a wide range of artists, from
the Rolling Stones to Andrea Bocelli. She especially enjoyed dance music and the energy of live
performances, including experiences like JazzFest in New Orleans and the Kaaboo Festival in Del
Mar, where she saw many of her favorite artists. She enjoyed watching movies and reading
mystery novels. She always valued her health and maintained a dedicated exercise routine for as
long as she was able. Isabel loved sports and spending time with her family cheering on the
Dodgers and Lakers and any football team from California.
Through her love, perseverance, and unwavering devotion to her strong beliefs, Isabel leaves a
lasting legacy that will continue to live on in her family and in all who were fortunate to know
her. Isabel cherished her time spent being Abuelita to her 4 grandsons George, Turner, Joshua,
and Keaton. Isabel is survived by her husband, Scott Hogrefe; her daughters, Lisette Sotelo-Parr
and Christina Sotelo; her son, George Sotelo; her mother, Elvira Castellanos; her father, Carlos
Castellanos; her sisters, Linda Ramirez, Ana Lockley, and Suzanne Ortiz; her brother, Carlos
Castellanos, Jr.; and her beloved grandchildren.
--Family in the care of Destiny Garcia, Funeral Arranger
