Regina (Jean) Owens, 83, of 174 Newport St., Sheatown PA, passed away Friday September 11, 2020 after a lengthy illness.

She was born in Hanover Section of Nanticoke and was a 1955 graduate of Nanticoke Area. She was a graduate of Mercy Nursing School in Wilkes-Barre.

She spent much of her career doing doctors office RN work. Eventually, she obtained a position with the American Red Cross, Hanover Township, PA in the blood collection division. We are proud of the fact that she was called to help with the blood collection efforts in Washington DC in the days following the 9/11 terror attacks. Eventually, she moved into the Education Department and retired as the Education Co-ordinator. Two days after retirement, she returned to work as Vice President in Charge of Production at Gold Star Wide Format (World Headquarters) where she was a force to be reckoned with for another 14 years.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Milton J. Owens, 2002; mother, Sophie Pikutis, 1986, and father, William Pikutis, 1994.

Surviving are her children, Jay Thomas, and wife, Barb, Shavertown; Jennifer Washney and husband, Robert, Wyoming; Jeff Thomas, Dallas, and (Saint) USAF Col. Jordan K. Thomas (ret) and wife, Katherine, Alexandria VA; 5 grandchildren; Austin, Jonathan and wife, Stephanie, Owen, Jordan and partner Frank, and Grace; and 1 great grandchild (Jack); sister, Barbara Kroll and husband, Edward, several nieces and nephews.

We would like to thank Dr. Janusz Wolanin and the nurses and staff at Residential Care Inpatient Hospice for helping us give our mother the sendoff she deserved. We'd also like to thank her bestie, Beth, as well as Mr. Novak, Joan, Sherry, and Albertha.

Friends may call on Tuesday,from 6-8 at Davis-Dinelli Funeral Home, 170 E. Broad Street, Nanticoke. There will be a Memorial Mass on Wednesday at 10am at St. Faustina's Church 520 S. Hanover Street, Nanticoke. Interment will be at Oak Lawn Cemetery, Wilkes-Barre.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Vincent De Paul Kitchen, 33 E. Northampton Street, Wilkes-Barre PA 18701.

Our mom always said that if she were to write a book about raising four kids as a single mom, it would be called, "Don't Step in the Cereal". We think those are words to live by.