Regina Maria Schmuck

Regina Maria Schmuck Passed away on Sunday, April 13, 2008. She lived 87 wonderful years as a wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Regina was born in Far Rockaway, NY, the only child of Brenda and Charles Noonan. A beautiful person, both inside and out, she was the winner of the "Most Beautiful Baby of Far Rockaway." Regina's schooling at St. Agnes Academy and Mount St. Vincent's, paved the way for her tutoring, guidance, and eternal love of what she fondly called her "Seven Only Children." She met Jim Schmuck, her husband of 67 years, at Rockaway Beach in New York, where he was a lifeguard and she was just "waltzing by." They married on January 9, 1941, and started their life together at Cornell University, where she would become affectionately known as "Mush" and later "Good Old Mush." They traveled to California during the War, back to New York, then to Kansas, and eventually to California for good, building the large family along the way that she always wanted. Regina was a great bridge player, tenacious golfer and avid sports fan. Hawaii, Tahoe and Carmel were among her favorite places to travel. She was always there after school for advice, care and support. A great listener, she strove to make a wonderful home and each of her children's lives better. She was "Mom" to Mary, Jim, Charles, Christine, Paul, Lisa and Peter, who by her example were raised with faith, purpose, love, humor and a tireless work ethic. Nothing was more important to her than family. "Gram 26x" was her prideful license plate, as she was the very best grandmother to Pat, Libby, James, Kathleen, Paul, Sara, Cate, Jimmy, Heidi, Brien, Brigetta, Joe, Meg, Jim, Kate, J.P., Anneliese, Paul, Aanika, John, Peter, Emily, Laura, Anna, Gregory and Kristen. She was also great-grandmother to Laura, Joe, Grace, Abby, Ryan, Katelyn, Thomas, Theo, and soon to be, Samantha. She loved all of these children and always had a place for them on her lap. Throughout her illness she was dignified and gracious, but most of all grateful for the extra time she had with her family. The Rosary will be recited on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. in the chapel at Crosby- N.Gray Mortuary in Burlingame. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday at 10:00a.m. at St. Catherine Catholic Church in Burlingame. Interment will be at Skylawn Memorial Park. The family requests that contributions be made to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in memory of Regina's great-grandson, Joe Fitzgerald.