1925 – 2020
Putnam – Regina V. Taunys, 95, died Sunday evening, December 13, 2020, at Matulaitis Nursing Home. Regina was born on July 10, 1925 in Kaunas, Lithuania. As a child she enjoyed an upper middle-class upbringing. Her father, Antanas Matukas, was a physician and her mother a registered nurse. Being the oldest of four siblings, she had a younger sister and two younger brothers. There were also numerous cousins. When Communist Russian tanks rolled into Lithuania in 1940, the family’s happy and serene life ended. From 1941 until 1944, Lithuania was occupied by Germans and in the summer of 1944, Communist Russians returned. During this time Regina graduated from High School in Kaunas. To avoid deportation to Siberia, the family fled to Austria and later moved to Bavaria. In 1947, Regina immigrated to Canada by signing a government contract to work for a year as a domestic and was assigned to a hospital in London, Ontario. With the assistance of a generous benefactor, she was able to bring her parents and siblings to Canada where they settled in 1948. Eventually, Regina continued her studies and in 1958 she received a Master’s Degree in Social Work from St. Patrick’s School of Social Welfare at the University of Ottawa. Regina worked in various fields of social work: at the Toronto Children’s Aid Society, Catholic Family Services and as a clinical social worker for Penetanguishene Hospital. In 1975, Regina immigrated to the United States and was employed as a clinical social worker at the Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam, Connecticut for 30 years. Upon her retirement, she continued to live in her home in Putnam enjoying hobbies like reading, gardening and also keeping in touch with family and relatives in various parts of the world. All her life, Regina remained faithful to her Lithuanian Heritage and was a devout Catholic. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 21, 2020. Burial in the Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Gilman Funeral Home & Crematory, 104 Church St., Putnam, CT. For memorial guestbook, visit www.GilmanAndValade.com.
Irene Lowry
Rest in eternal peace, dear Regina.
Irena Maria (Kowalski) Lowry and the late Olga (Karacauskas) Kowalski
Burlington, Ontario
Canada
Giedrė
Ilsėkis Ramybėje brangioji teta Regina. Dievas su Tavimi. Tu mūsų Širdyse!
Angela Vaillant Johndrow
To the family of Mrs. Taunys,
My sincerest condolences to you all. I had the wonderful opportunity to work with this amazing woman at Matulaitis, and she taught me so much not only about social work, but about faith and working as if you’re working for the Lord. Her peaceful demeanor and genuinely caring nature have touched my heart throughout the past 20 years, and I consider myself blessed to have known her. She was a blessing to many, and will always hold a special place in my heart. May she rest in peace.
My deepest sympathy,
Angela Vaillant Johndrow
Valdas
Mano užuojauta dėl tetos Reginos mirties žemėje.
Bernadette Vance
Our sincere condolences on your loss of Regina. We will remember her mostly by her continuous smile and warmth. She was called home on a special day, Gaudete Sunday, the joyful Sunday of lent. We will always have Regina in our minds and hearts when we see the beautiful pink candle of Advent a glow with joy, remembering Regina’s joyful smile.
Love and prayers,
Mr. and Mrs. Vance