Lois Regan

Lois Regan brought warmth and love to all she met, as well as kept an optimistic focus on all that is possible. She followed her bliss in her work life – her career teaching kids spanned over 25 years, from elementary schools in southeastern Pennsylvania to middle schools in suburban Maryland. During her retirement in Venice, since 2001, Lois remained active in many groups from book clubs and discussion groups to the Jewish Congregation of Venice sisterhood. In her family, she was always caring and engaged as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, aunt and in-law. Born in New Haven, Connecticut, she barely knew her sickly father, who died when she was 3. Her mother struggled to raise her alone, with the help of relatives to look after Lois during working hours. This created a lonely time in her life. At 7, her mother remarried and they moved to Brooklyn, where Lois made lemons into lemonade: she helped out caretaking her new brothers, worked part-time at MetLife while in high school, and paid for college herself, being the first in her family to study beyond 8th grade. Eventually, she earned both a Bachelor's and Master's degree from Villanova University. Lois built a wonderful family life. Her first marriage to Barry Rosenblatt lasted 26 years until his death. They raised two sons, Michael and Jay. A second marriage to her adoring husband Charles "Chuck" Regan also has lasted over 25 years. They together have blended their two extended families into one. Since her cancer diagnosis in fall 2013, Lois made the most of what quality of life she had, continuing to actively participate in community events as much as possible until the disease turned aggressive in early May. Despite her struggle, she always made time to connect with everyone, turning a frown to a smile. Lois passed away at home peacefully on Friday, May 27th. She is survived by her loving husband Chuck; her sons and daughter-in-law Julie; her grandchildren Bailey, Ben and Jack; her brothers Ted and Joe; as well as her stepchildren and their families. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Shriners Hospitals for Children in Tampa, 2900 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa, FL 33607 (www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org/en/donate).

Tributes

Lois Regan

May 27, 2016