2008 obituary. PORTLAND -- Regina E. Slack, 91, of Monroe, Ohio, formerly of Illsley St. Portland, passed away Jan. 15, 2008, after a brief illness. She was born on April 28, 1916. on Great Diamond Island, in Portland, first daughter of Leon G. and Rosella Bruton. During her school years she traveled up to the mainland on the U.S. Government boat each day and walked from the Custom House Wharf to Cathedral Grammar School, graduating from Cathedral High School. She married her husband Norman L. Slack in 1935 and celebrated 62 years together before Norman predeceased her on Jan. 16, 1999. Regina and her husband understood the importance of raising a family. Regina therefore worked as a full-time homemaker and mother to her two children. Prior to the onset of Alzheimer's, she loved to read, knit, crochet, sew, and cook. She did take on one job as a traffic guide on the corner of Washington Avenue and Presumpscot Street. Regina was featured on the front page one year for the duties she performed so faithfully. Regina and Norman put a lot of emphasis on their children's education. If a question was ever asked and could not be answered, she set a fine example by researching and finding the right answer. This desire to learn set a wonderful example for their two children. Regina was the oldest of seven brothers and sisters. Regina had many cute sayings, one was I'm a tough old bird, this was said when asked how she managed to live such a long life. After Norman died, Regina lived alone for a year before sharing her life with her two children, living six months here in Maine with her daughter and then the other six months in Florida with her son. That worked well for all of us and gave Regina the best of both worlds. He later moved to Ohio, where the weather was pretty different from Florida. She suffered from Alzheimer's for the past few years. While living with her son, Regina was admitted to Mt. Pleasant Nursing Home where she lived until her passing. Her family is most grateful for the kind and loving care they extended to their Mom. Regina is predeceased by her husband, Norman L. Slack; six brothers and sisters and their spouses. Visiting hours will be held at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel on Saturday, Jan. 19, from 10-11 a.m. An 11 a.m. funeral will follow at the chapel. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in South Portland.