Roberta Regan

In faith and fearlessness, our beloved mother, Roberta (Bobbie) Regan, 87, passed into heaven on February 7, 2019 in Bradenton, Florida, surrounded by the love of her family, whose hearts were broken when they had to part with her. Bobbie was born in Chicago, Illinois, the oldest child of Maria and G. Russell Widger, Sr. The family settled in Royal Oak, Michigan. At the Shrine of the Little Flower School, she won state awards for dramatic readings and went on to study at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. Don Regan came to New York and asked her to marry him. They were married at the National Shrine of the Little Flower Basilica in Royal Oak, Michigan on June 12, 1952.  They began their lives together in Sister Lakes, Michigan where they lived for many years on Dewey Lake and later, in their dream home, “Full Circle”, on Indian Lake. Bobbie worked for Bronte Winery as the first woman wine distributor in Michigan. Later, she worked as a realtor for Crouch and Day in Niles and then began her dream job as a travel agent with Reddel Travel in St. Joseph, where she excelled organizing group trips to places around the world.  She loved travelling with her family and friends. Her most recent trips were treating her children to a cruise to Bermuda and a cruise on the rivers of Europe with her brother in October. She was a longtime and avid fan of Notre Dame. Most importantly, Bobbie was a wife, mother, grandmother, great and great-great-grandmother to her family. She touched the lives of many and stayed in contact with them through her many cards and letters. She was cherished by many friends. She was a member of Sacred Heart of Mary parish at Sister Lakes. She was a long time member of Beta Sigma Phi sorority in Dowagiac and Niles.  She was a member of the Junior Arts in Dowagiac. She served as a hospice volunteer for many years in Dowagiac. She was preceded in death by her husband, Don; her parents, Maria and Russell Widger, Sr. and one child, John Patrick. She is survived by her eight children, Sharon (Dan) Brown, Michael (Gemma) Regan, Kathleen (Mike) Hover, Laurie (Mike) Miller, Tim (Alina) Regan, Donald Jr. (Terri) Regan, Philip (Katrina) Regan and Lonnie (Danielle) Przybylinski; 24 grandchildren, Joel (Lexie), Regan (Dave), Craig (Holly), Rachel, Sarah (Jon), Mariah (Darrin), Eric (Paula), McKenna (Alec), Katie (Tom), Holli (Mike), Lucy (Mike), Chelsea (Ryan), Kayla, Ali, Erin, Ellen, Victoria, Danny, Ashley (Matt), Ariel, Bailey, Riley (Jared), Zack and Luke; great-grandchildren, Anderson, Marley, Aliyah, Macey, Gibson, Evelyn, Ashley, Chace (Alexis), Presley, Nolan, Regan, Lawson, Cameron, Madison, Sawyer, Avery, Everly, Emmy Kate, Hudson and Charlie Mae, with No. 21 on the way; great-great grandchildren, Blakely and Jude. She is survived by her brothers, Bill Widger and Russell Widger, Jr.; sister, Susan (George) Jennings and sister-in-law, Helen Lang. The Regan family will be bringing their mother home when her tulips are in bloom for a celebration of her incredible life on Friday, April 26, 2019 at Clark Chapel, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, Michigan, with friends gathering from 5:00 – 9:00 PM. A funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 51841 Leach Road, Dowagiac, Michigan, on Saturday, April 27, 2019 at 11:00 AM, with a luncheon to follow. Donations may be made through the funeral home to the Caring Circle Hospice of St. Joseph volunteer department or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Those wishing to send a condolence online may do so at www.clarkch.com.