Regina Huemmer was born on March 31, 1932, to Michael and Harriet Sweeney in Manhattan, N.Y. She passed away on November 2, 2024, at the age of 92 years old.
Regina was predeceased by her husband John J. Huemmer, married on June 10, 1950, as well has her sister Veronica McConnell. She is survived by her two children and their spouses, Kathleen (and Mitchel) Jaros and John (and Sandra) Huemmer. She is also survived by her many grandchildren, Dawn (and Christopher) Castillo, Keith (and Brandy) Jaros, Michael (and Chasity) Huemmer, Jennifer (and Cristian) Chirila, Amanda Drane (and Wayne Jones), and Laura Huemmer. She is survived by seven great-grandchildren, including Ashley Castillo, Jason Jaros, Kaleigh Jaros, Gabriel Huemmer, Brandon Castillo, Malakai Huemmer, and Maevyn Huemmer. She is also survived by one great-great grandchild, Adriana DeSantis.
Regina was fiercely independent, fearless, loyal, and the most supportive and loving mother and grandmother. Those who knew her well would describe her as stubborn, in a way that not only tested your patience but also taught you what it means to have conviction. She never let anyone tell her what to do, who she should vote for, or that she couldn’t do something—like the time she went on a joyride and taught herself to drive after her husband refused to teach her.
Regina was blessed with many gifts. As a girl, she played the organ and sang “Ave Maria” for Mass at her church. She performed “A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square” for Mayor LaGuardia and won a scholarship for young entertainers to the Wally Jackson Studio. Her sport of choice was basketball, although she also liked to swim. But she is most recently recognized as an accomplished embroiderer…