BANGOR – Regina A. Thomas, 68, died Sept. 7, 2005, following the agonizing ravages of ALS. She died at home surrounded by her devoted family. She was born Dec. 17, 1936, the only daughter of Ian A. Shankel and Charlotte Shankel Babcock, both deceased as is her stepfather, Carl Babcock Sr. Regina grew up in Hampden, graduating from Hampden Academy, Class of 1954. She lived in Bucksport a number of years and retired from Champion and International Paper in 1993, as the executive secretary to the resident manager. She enjoyed her work and the many friends she associated with at her employment and in the community. She is survived by her devoted husband, Edward Thomas of 19 years. She has three children whom she loved dearly, Randall Nason of Bucksport; and daughters, Kathryn (Nason) and husband, Garry Harriman, of Bucksport, and Debbie (Nason) and husband, Michael Kemp, of Rowley, Mass., and special grandson, Marshall Harriman; and step-grandson, Keith Kemp. She is also survived by her brother, Winston Shankel and his wife, Cheryl, of Hampden, who are a very close and loving family. She is also survived by two stepbrothers, Carl Babcock Jr. and Dennis Babcock and his wife, Polly, of Newburg. Also surviving are many very special caring cousins with whom she shared wonderful times. Regina was loved and will be greatly missed by her extended family on her husband’s side, including her husband’s five brothers and sisters and their spouses and families; step-children, Cheryl and husband, David Mestl, of Lynnwood, Wash., Sheila and husband, Stan Fowler, of Bangor, and Bradley Thomas of Brewer; step-grandchildren, Ryan Murphy of Lynnwood, Wash. and Justin, Shana and Scotty Fowler of Bangor. Her other beloved “child” is her poodle named, Charlie. Regina had so many good friends that she made wherever she went on the bus trips that she so thoroughly enjoyed and the special wonderful friends who also were her neighbors. Regina was truly a “Maineac”, loving Maine, its people, customs and seasons. She even liked to shovel snow; just didn’t like to drive in it. She also loved to drive her Jimmy, and go shopping. She loved life and had many interest including plants and flowers and most all animals. Over the years, she had a number of pet cats and dogs and loved and pampered all of them. She liked to receive cards and she loved to send them to all of her friends on all the important occasions; never forgetting an important date. Friends are invited to visit with the family 4-6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, at Brookings-Smith, 133 Center St., Bangor. Graveside funeral service will be held 10 a.m., Monday Sept. 12 at Mount Hope Cemetery, Bangor, with the Rev. Dr. Rex Garrett, Director of Chaplaincy Services at EMMC, officiating. Friends are invited to meet 9:45 a.m. at the superintendents office, off the State Street entrance. Those who wish to remember Regina in a special way may make gifts to the Bangor Humane Society, 693 Mount Hope Ave., Bangor, ME 04401 or to Home Health and Hospice of St. Joseph, 900 Broadway, Bangor, ME 04401.
REGINA A. THOMAS
