ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Regina Jalbert Kenney Tyrrell of St. Petersburg, Fla., wife of Steve Tyrrell, passed away on May 31. She was a loving wife, a wonderful mother, a dear sister and a loyal friend. She loved adventure, the arts, nature and her family.

She was born Nov. 1, 1922, in Lisbon, to the late John and Blanche (Bouchard) Jalbert Sr. She was one of 15 children raised on a potato farm outside Lisbon. She attended Lisbon schools, enjoyed lively and hearty dinners and remembered picking blueberries in the summers. Regina completed Acme Business College in Lewiston.

From April 1943 to January 1946, she served in the Navy Waves, working in San Francisco and Boston. After World War II, she attended Tufts College in Boston, where she met her first husband, John Thompson Kenney. They married in 1949, and relocated to St. Petersburg, where they raised their four children. He predeceased her in 1978.

Reggie, as she was affectionately known, was a woman of action and many interests: sailing, art, travel, nature and real estate. She was an early member of the Madiera Beach Yacht Club and was installed as captain in 1962. She enjoyed sailing with the Treasure Island Tennis and Yacht Club and other groups, crewing on a trip to the West Indies when she was in her 60s. She traveled to many places in the United States, Europe and Greece.

She earned her real estate license, starting a career with Marie Powell and Co., Treasure Island when most of her peers were retiring. Reggie studied painting and sculpture and created beautiful pieces. She served as the Science Center Art Show chairman in 1973. She was a true champion of the arts, supporting local museums by volunteering and by bringing her children and then their children for regular visits. Reggie was a member of the Cathedral of St. Jude and gave monthly support to a young girl in Guatemala, through a world children’s fund program.

Reggie leaves her husband, Steve Tyrrell; three children, Elaine Kenney Lowitz (Stephen), John S. Kenney (Judy) and Lisa Kenney Elder (Jay); seven grandchildren, Stephanie, Joshua, Kieran, Lucy, John, Joel and Amy; one great-grandchild, Natalia Joyce; she cherished the love and respect of her husband, Steve Tyrrell’s family, Mike and Christie, John and Sara, Stephanie, Jim and Leah and their many children; Reggie is survived by her sister, Joan Brame of Venice, Fla.

Reggie was predeceased by her daughter, Joyce in 2008; her brothers, Normand, Joel, Eddy, Albert, Pete, Willie and Henry; and her sisters, Sister Constance “Gertrude”, Cecile, Jeannette, Muriel, Connie and Lucille.

A special thank-you to the staff at Arbor Oaks Tyrone, Egret Cove Nursing Center and Sunshine Assist for the Elderly (SAFE).

Online memorial and guest book @ www.brettfuneralhome.net.