Maynette Regan

Annie Maynette Regan passed peacefully away October 4 in her home with her family, friends, and beloved cats nearby.

She was born in Saint Pauls November 29, 1943 to John B. and Mary Ann Regan. She was third in what would become six siblings. They had the happiest of childhoods with the many opportunities that only small-town life and superb parents make possible. At various times in high school, Maynette was president of the Student Council, class president, majorette, Beta Club president, basketball all-county and she was voted most popular in her senior class.

She attended Wake Forest University and graduated from Meredith College in 1965 with the intention of travelling and seeing the world. She went first to Washington DC and for a few years worked for Piedmont Airlines. While there, she became drawn to the political world and always believed that government could be a great good if managed well.

But first, a more international life beckoned. Maynette spent one summer studying at the Sorbonne in Paris and later a year at the University of Poitiers in the south of France. She developed a life-long love for all things French and returned to the United States to earn a Master's in General Education with a specialty in French from Oregon State University. She taught French first at Cary High School and later at Cape Fear High School in Cumberland County, a new school. There Maynette launched its French curriculum which she eventually built into a four-year program. Even after these many years, former students remember her as a truly great teacher, probably because she loved teaching and she loved young people.

Nevertheless, her drive to always accomplish a little something more lured her to the new Campbell Law School and she entered its third-year class, graduating in 1981. She worked first as an Assistant District Attorney in Mecklenburg County. And when she heard that the Cumberland County School Board was hiring its first School Board Attorney, she jumped at the chance to return closer to her home community. Plus, her teaching background made her a natural. She became an expert in education law and worked for nearly 18 years in a time of great change and turmoil in the education world here and nationwide. She felt fortunate to work on the Leandro case in its early years before she retired in 2003. It was near to her heart with its aim to funnel more equitable funding to public schools in low-wealth counties.

Religion was a driving force throughout her life. She loved especially Saint Pauls United Methodist Church. For many years she taught children's Sunday school classes there and was active in numerous leadership roles. But, most of all, she found much joy and inspiration in little children and was probably drawn a little stronger to those who also needed a friend. The many ways she quietly and generously helped people in need will never be fully known.

Her other great passion was animals in need. She worried about the chimpanzees and elephants in Africa. And nearer home, no cat went hungry that showed up at her house looking lost. In her last years, she had five wonderful cats - all volunteers - that she loved equally and totally.

Maynette is survived by her sister Mary Brewer Regan, Raleigh; brothers George Regan (Kathy), Saint Pauls, and Cabell Regan (Sharron), Pittsboro; nieces and nephews Susan Kitchen (Jim), Chapel Hill, Catherine Walsh (David), Charlotte, George Duncan Regan (Christy), Hope Mills, Liana Regan (Rich Leonard), Sanford, John Regan (Jennie), Charlotte, Jessica Regan, Durham, and ten great-nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, October 15, at 11 am in the Saint Pauls United Methodist Church, 406 W. Broad St., Saint Pauls. Anyone who would like to contribute in her name might consider this church or any animal rescue organization.