Regina Anne McNamara, 91, of Verona passed away peacefully at her home of 63 years during the early morning hours of Saturday, November 17 surrounded by her loving family.
Our family invites all friends to attend a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday, November 21 at Our Lady of The Lake R.C. Church, Verona, celebrated by Jeannie’s longtime friend, Father John Martin. Interment will be private. Condolences may be left on her obit at www.ProutFuneralHome.com
Regina was born October 15, 1927 in Glen Ridge, to George and Agnes Reese. Due to the untimely death of her parents at a young age, she was lovingly raised by her aunt, Mrs. Madeline Beekman Kennedy, Judge Chester Beekman and Ezra Kennedy.
She was a graduate of Mount St. Dominic Academy and the College of St. Elizabeth, after which she was employed as a Latin teacher in the Verona school system. Regina left her employ as a teacher to raise her family of nine children. She returned to work in 1973 as a marketing assistant at Burrelle’s Press Clipping Service and retired in 1999.
Regina was predeceased by her husband John, daughters Marguerite (Rotella), Mary (Renzulli) and Madeline; her sister, Madeline and brother-in-law Oren Berry; aunt, Madeline Kennedy; uncles, Chester Beekman and Ezra Kennedy; cousins-in-law Roland (Bud) Addis and Nancy Beekman; and her lifelong friend, Sheila Pritchard.
She is survived by her children, Carl (Kathleen), John (Marianne), Stephen (Carmen), Maureen (fiancé, Jeff Weber), Paul (Bethanne) and Patricia Kiefer (Greg) and sons-in-law, Albert Rotella Jr. and Kevin Renzulli. Regina was the proud and cherished grandmother of Carl (fiancée, Colleen), Ryan, Jonathan (Daniella), Rachel, Stephen, Melissa and Patrick McNamara, Mikayla and Catherine Kiefer and Amy Renzulli. Also surviving are her dear cousins, Phillip E. Beekman and Marie Addis, longtime caregivers, Kaci Rodney and Traci Rodney and a host of nieces, nephews and friends.
Our loving Mom lost the love of her life, John S. McNamara, Sr. in 1977. Her ever strong Christian faith and values never wavered while she stalwartly worked to provide for her growing family. Her greatest joy was spending time with her family, especially visits with her ten grandchildren, who always brought the broadest smiles and laughter to her loving face. While all of us will miss her forever, we are all very comforted knowing that she is now resting peacefully in the Loving Embrace of Our Lord.
In lieu of flowers the family is requesting that donations be made to: Haitian Solidarity Network of the Northeast, c/o Reverend John Martin, Kelly Residence, 247 Bloomfield Ave., Caldwell, NJ 07006.
