MELBOURNE BEACH, FL - Regina F. (McMahon) Garrett, 66, of Melbourne Beach, Florida, was Called Safely Home on Monday, June 11, 2012. She passed into Eternal Life from her home surrounded by the care and comfort of her loving family and her wonderful caregivers. She was born in Springfield on May 24, 1946, a beloved daughter of the late George C. and Regina A. (Farrell) McMahon. She was raised in Springfield, graduated from Cathedral High School and lived in the city for many years. She furthered her education and attended Putnam Vocational School of Nursing in Springfield and then received her Associate's Degree in Nursing from Holyoke Community College and her Bachelor's Degree in Nursing from The College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee. She later lived in Feeding Hills and Southwick before moving to Melbourne Beach, Florida in 2003. While in Florida, Regina was employed as a Registered Nurse and Supervisor at Health First Visiting Nurse Association in Melbourne and retired in 2010. While in Springfield, Regina was a communicant of the former Our Lady of Hope Church. She was currently a communicant of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Melbourne Beach, Florida. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by: her dear brother, Richard McMahon; her dear sister, Joyce Kelleher and her husband, James; and her cherished daughter, Denise M. Garrett, who was Called Home on December 7, 1997. She leaves her beloved husband and best friend, William F. Garrett. They were married on May 6, 1967 at the former Our Lady of Hope Church in Springfield and were blessed with 45 years of happiness together. Besides her husband, she leaves: her loving children, Ann M. Garrett of Melbourne Beach, FL and William F. Garrett of Springfield; her two cherished grandchildren, whom she adored, Nico Tanner Garrett and Logan Garrett; her dear sister-in-law, Dorothy McMahon of Springfield; her dear brother-in-law from the Garrett family, John Garrett and his wife, Lynn, of Hasbrouck Heights, NJ; and her many dear nephews and nieces. Her funeral will be held on Monday morning, June 18, 2012, beginning at the St. Pierre - Phaneuf Springfield Chapels, 7 Chapin Terrace, Springfield, MA 01107, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. in Sacred Heart Church, 395 Chestnut Street, Springfield, MA 01104. Her Committal Service will follow the Mass at 11 a.m. in the Chapel at the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery, 1390 Main Street, Agawam, MA 01001.

[Published in The Springfield Republican from June 14 to June 15, 2012]