May 2, 2014

Regina T. Shockites, RN, a former resident of West Main Street, Ringtown, passed away Friday at Brandywine Hospital, Coatesville. She had been a resident at Villa St. Martha Retirement Community, Downingtown, for the past two years.

Born in Shenandoah, Jan. 1, 1919, she was a daughter of the late Joseph and Mayne Shustack Slegesky. Regina was a graduate of J.W. Cooper High School, Shenandoah, and Philadelphia General Hospital School of Nursing, where she received her degree as a registered nurse.

In 1943, she enlisted in the Army Nurse Corps, as a 2nd lieutenant. She was assigned to duty on hospital ships tending to the wounded from the Normandy Invasion. She made many Atlantic crossings on the USS Algonquin, USS Wisteria and USS Queen Elizabeth. She was honorably discharged at a rank of captain. She fought in the European, African and Middle Eastern Campaigns, being decorated for her service receiving the American Campaign Medal and World War II Victory medal.

In 1948, she married Paul Shockites, a local watchmaker and jeweler, and together they established Paul Shockites Jewelry Store, Shenandoah, a business they ran for more than 50 years, until their retirement in 1986.

Regina was a member of St. Mary Roman Catholic Church, Ringtown, Ringtown American Legion and Catholic War Veterans.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Paul, in 2008; a sister, Christine Ouchis, and a brother, Leonard Slade.

She is survived by son, Mark and his wife, Stephanie, Coatesville; two grandchildren, Steve and his wife, Tara, Evergreen, Colo., and Peter, Coatesville; two great-grandchildren, August and Zoe.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial, which will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Church, 84 N. Center St., Ringtown. There will be no services at the funeral home and everyone is asked to meet at the church prior to Mass. Regina will be laid to rest next to her husband at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Shenandoah Heights, following the Mass. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to be made in Regina's memory to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS, 66675. Stauffer-Breznik Funeral Home, Ringtown, is honored to serve Regina's family during this time of need.

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