HAMACHER, Regina "Jean"

Regina "Jean" Hamacher peacefully took her first eternal breath on a glorious summer day, July 10, 2017, in the midst of her favorite season. She was born July 12, 1926, in Portsmouth, VA, to Alice and Edgar Stein. She graduated from Maury High School, Norfolk VA, and started an intensified nursing program at Georgetown University for wartime nurses to fill-in on the home front as nurse practitioners. She later earned a Bachelor of Arts and a Master’s degree in Educational Counseling at Gonzaga University, which she accomplished while raising six children. Jean fondly talked about her years as a young girl in Cristóbal, Colón Province, Panama where her father served with the Navy. Stories of diving off barnacle covered piers, walking across fields carpeted with 'huge' bullfrogs, and the simple joys of sun, sand and water established many pleasant memories for her.  She moved to Spokane with her husband, Eddie, and infant son, Bob in 1946. On their cross-country journey, they stopped in Michigan to visit Eddie's brother and family. A niece recalls, "Aunt Jean was so young, warm, loving, and oh so beautiful with her smile and long hair," and that she looked forward to family gatherings to see her Aunt Jean again. Her elegance, grace, and southern charm characterize her best.  She was an educational counselor and a successful realtor and volunteered for many causes over the years. She loved tennis, Bridge, Poker, Mahjong, and most of all traveling. One of her cherished trips was sailing the Greek Isles. Gardening was her passion; she greeted every Spring with a plan for beautiful flower beds and fragrant abundant bouquets. Most remarkably, she was a gracious hostess. Warmly welcoming and entertaining family and friends were her genuine gift.  Jean left behind so many people who adored and respected her. She was a feisty and sassy lady, always intellectually curious and eager to learn more about individuals and the greater world. Her friendships were cherished, and close friends knew the brilliant and amazingly witty woman we all loved. She was intensely proud of her children and loved them and each of their families: Son Bob (Renie), grandchildren Justin Hamacher and  Danielle Hamacher Mudd (Jim) and great-grandchildren Sylvia, Thomas and Alexander; Son Ed; Son Tom (killed in a hiking accident in 1963); Daughter Regina Lorenz (Richard), grandchildren Paul Lorenz and Elisa Lorenz Caplan (Noah) and great-grandson Perry; Daughter Christine Tubbs (Carl) and grandchildren Kyle and Kent; Son Paul (Valerie) and granddaughters, Blair Hamacher DeVries (Phillip) and Laine Hamacher; Youngest child, Lisa Heath (Jack) and grandchildren Julia and John.  Jean is welcomed into the loving arms of eternal life by the father of her children, her true love Ed ‘Eddie’ Hamacher, and by her son, Tom, her husband Jerry Williams, and by her siblings and many special friends. We’ve no doubt she has stylish angel wings!  Jean’s family thanks all her wonderful friends, who showed her and us so much love and support throughout the final years of her life journey—especially her good friends of the Rockwood South Hill community. We sincerely thank her care providers and all employees of Rockwood South Hill Assisted Living and The Courtyard Memory Care Unit, many who became friends to us all.

A private celebration of Jean's life is scheduled later this summer. Donations to a charity of your choice are preferred. Please visit www.hennesseyfuneralhomes.com to share your memories of Jean.

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