Regina Margaret Schwede, lovingly known to her family as "Oma," passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at Overlook Hospital. She was 84 years old.

Born on May 15, 1942, in Aachen, Germany, Regina entered the world during one of history's darkest chapters. As she was being born, a neighboring building collapsed during a bombing raid in World War II. Soon afterward, her family fled to the countryside to escape the devastation of war. Those early hardships shaped a woman of remarkable resilience, quiet strength, and deep appreciation for family. Her father was an engineer, and after losing her mother at a young age, Regina learned early in life the importance of perseverance. Gifted with exceptional artistic ability, she studied fashion design, a talent that would remain evident throughout her life.

While living in Munich as a young woman, Regina met the love of her life, Emil J. Schwede, an American soldier serving in Germany during the Cold War. Their love story began despite a language barrier. Regina spoke no English, and Emil spoke only broken German, but they proved that love needed no translator. They married in Munich, welcomed their daughter, Jeannette, and soon afterward made the courageous decision to begin a new life in the United States. Leaving behind her homeland, family, and familiar surroundings while caring for an infant was one of the greatest challenges of Regina's life, but she embraced it with grace and determination.

The family first settled in Middle Village, Queens, before making their home in Glendale, Queens, where they raised their family. Later, Regina and Emil discovered the beauty of Pike County through a second home in Dingmans Ferry, Pennsylvania. Eventually they settled permanently in Milford, Pennsylvania, where they spent approximately twenty-six wonderful years. Regina spent the last seven years of her life living in Summit and Gillette, New Jersey.

Regina and Emil shared an extraordinary marriage built on unwavering devotion, mutual respect, and enduring love. Together they returned to Germany twice over the years, allowing Regina to reconnect with the country that would always hold a special place in her heart. They shared forty-eight beautiful years of marriage before Emil's passing in 2008. Losing him was heartbreaking, but with remarkable courage Regina rebuilt her life, becoming a beloved and familiar presence throughout the Milford community, where her warmth and kindness earned her many cherished friendships.

Above all else, Regina was devoted to her family. She is survived by her loving daughter, Jeannette Weismantel; her grandsons, Henry Weismantel Jr. (Kaitlin)  and Brian Weismantel (Erica); and her treasured great-grandsons, Henry Weismantel III, Patrick, and Conor, each of whom brought immeasurable joy to her later years.

Known simply as "Oma" to her grandsons and "Omi" to her great-grandsons, Regina embraced her role as grandmother with boundless love and enthusiasm. She shared an especially close bond with her grandsons, who spent countless school vacations and long summer days with her in Milford, creating memories they will treasure forever. She delighted in living long enough to know and love her three great-grandsons, whose ages ranged from just three months to six years. To her grandsons she would always be Oma, and to her great-grandsons she was Omi, a title she wore with immeasurable love and pride.

Regina became a mother at a very young age and always did the very best she could. Through every stage of life, she remained a constant source of encouragement, offering unconditional love, support, and acceptance without judgment. When it mattered most, she was always there.

While raising her family, Regina dedicated herself to creating a loving home before later working part-time in the accessories department at Orbach's Department Store. No matter where she was, she possessed the rare gift of making friends within minutes. Her sweet spirit, warm smile, generous heart, and wonderful sense of humor made everyone feel welcomed and valued.

Although she proudly became an American citizen after working tirelessly to learn a new language and build a new life, Regina never lost sight of her German heritage. She lovingly preserved family traditions, recipes, music, Oktoberfest celebrations, favorite German restaurants and butcher shops, ensuring those customs would continue through future generations. She was immensely proud of both the country where she was born and the one she came to call home.

A true Bavarian beauty, Regina always seemed to look years younger than her age. Her impeccable sense of fashion, refined eye for home décor, and extraordinary design instincts reflected the artistic gifts she had cultivated since childhood. She was always beautifully dressed, effortlessly elegant, and possessed a natural ability to accessorize both herself and every celebration with grace and style.

Gardening was one of Regina's greatest passions, and she had a remarkable talent for creating beauty wherever she lived. Alongside Emil, she developed a deep appreciation for Native American history and culture after he became a park ranger along the Delaware River. Together they admired the history of the Lenape people, collected Native American artwork, sculptures, and paintings, and enjoyed attending Pow Wows throughout the region.

Regina and Emil also opened their hearts to animals, rescuing five dogs over the years. Each one was welcomed as a cherished member of the family, and those lucky dogs experienced the same unconditional love Regina so freely gave to everyone around her.

During the last five years of her life, Regina greatly enjoyed attending the Adult Day Center in Basking Ridge, where she formed meaningful friendships and looked forward to each visit. On June 1, she became a resident of Brandywine Assisted Living in Warren. Though she was there for only a month, she quickly flourished, bringing smiles to residents and staff alike. The love and affection they showed her in return were a testament to the remarkable woman she was.

Regina's life was defined not by the hardships she endured, but by the kindness she extended, the beauty she created, the traditions she preserved, and the love she gave so generously. Her legacy lives on in the family she cherished, the friendships she nurtured, and the countless lives she touched with her warmth, compassion, and gentle spirit.

A memorial service celebrating Regina's life will be held at a later date. Service details will be posted here once arrangements have been finalized.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center in Regina's memory. Or, perhaps even more fitting, honor her life by making someone smile, offering kindness to a stranger, or helping another person feel seen and important, the way Regina did every single day.