Obituary of Elaine Diane Fogler, 78
Elaine Diane Fogler.
ELAINE DIANE FOGLER
1948-2026
– We remember Elaine Diane Fogler (née Barlup, formerly Railsback and Borden) of Paso Robles, as a woman blessed with sharp wit, tremendous zeal for life, deep compassion and a wonderful sense of humor. She was called home to be with the Lord on February 1, 2026, passing away at the Vineyard Hills Health Center just days after her 78th birthday. She had been a resident of San Luis Obispo County for over fifty years.
Elaine was born January 16th, 1948 in Hagerstown, Maryland. She was the youngest child of Gerald and Thelma Barlup, following siblings Jack, JoAnne, Jerry, and Alan. Upon seeing his newborn daughter and her vibrant copper colored hair, Elaine’s father is said to have exclaimed, “Gosh, she sure is RED!”
The now complete family of seven soon moved across the country pursuing economic opportunity. They lived for a while in the Midwest, where Elaine attended some elementary school. Eventually, they settled in sunny Southern California in the town of Gardena, where her dad found his calling working as a project estimator for aerospace giant Northrup.
A product of the post-war baby boom, Elaine came of age in the 1950’s and 60’s in the rapidly expanding Los Angeles Basin. Her class at Gardena Sr. High School was especially large, and as a result they were split into two cohorts. She proudly graduated in early 1966 with the winter commencement class. As a young adult she studied business at nearby El Camino College and worked at Continental Airlines in Los Angeles.
While attending Gardena High, she met Ed Railsback, a handsome football player two years her senior with aspirations of becoming a teacher and coach. They wed in 1967 when Elaine was just nineteen. In 1969, the young couple moved north to California’s Central Coast, a spot they had explored while honeymooning, hoping to start a family. They were successful: in 1970, Jeffrey Edwin Railsback came along, and they welcomed Chad Alan Railsback in 1973. Now settled in Paso Robles, aside from supporting Ed’s growing career in the public schools and raising her two boys, Elaine spent the 1970’s working and earning success in the local banking industry.
The 1980’s and 90’s brought multiple moves within the county, and many relationship changes for Elaine. Always emphasizing continued career growth and community involvement, Elaine carved out niches for herself first as a mortgage broker and later as an executive assistant. Ultimately, she leveraged her many years of business experience to start her own enterprise as an independent administrative assistant and bookkeeper, supporting local businesses and nonprofits, which she did continuously until her retirement circa 2015.
Elaine was an enthusiastic doer. In Paso Robles she was a leader in the Chamber of Commerce’s Junior Women’s Club where, among many other projects, she helped organize the California Mid-State Fair pageant. She also served on the board of the local Confederate Air Force Squadron, at the founding of the Estrella Warbirds Museum.
In Los Osos, Elaine became an avid supporter of the coastal jazz scene, making many wonderful friends and organizing charitable concerts. She was also a devoted congregant and champion of Saint Benedict’s Episcopal Church for two decades. She volunteered for years as treasurer of their Abundance Shop thrift store, and particularly enjoyed a complex project which repurposed an historic army chapel from Camp Roberts to become their new church building in Los Osos.
Many of the aforementioned causes that Elaine championed in her lifetime are still thriving today; they are part of her lasting legacy. The family suggests donating to any one of these wonderful organizations in Elaine’s honor, but especially St. Benedict’s of Los Osos due to their extensive charitable reach.
In her golden years, Elaine eagerly welcomed and thoroughly enjoyed four grandchildren. She lovingly looked after her special needs brother, Alan, continuing a tradition begun in their childhood. She pursued her twin passions: gardening, and cooking “gourmet” family meals. She was especially fond of entertaining for St. Patrick’s Day. Forty years after high school graduation, she served as president of her class reunion committee. She enjoyed all these pursuits and many more special adventures with her loving and devoted husband, Scott Fogler (originally of Orange County, California) over the course of their 20-year relationship.
In April 2020, Elaine suffered a debilitating stroke. Scott faithfully cared for her at their home in Paso Robles for several years before entrusting her to skilled nursing care in the fall of 2025. She is survived by her husband, Scott Fogler; her brother Alan Barlup; her sons Jeff Railsback (Tanya) and Chad Railsback (Jennifer); and four grandchildren: Keegan, Chloe, Reece, and Finn. A service in her honor will be held on Saturday, June 6, at 11:00 a.m. at Plymouth Congregational Church, 1301 Oak Street, Paso Robles. A memorial reception will follow immediately in the church hall. All are welcome.
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