WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Regenia“Jean”Valentine Pellegrom, died on January 23, 2012 at her home on Elm Street at the age of 102. Her friends said that she was the most optimistic and cheerful person they had ever met. Her husband, Francis “Pelly” used to say she truly cared about her friends and made deep, long lasting friendships. She wanted to know about people and she really listened to their stories. Her sons, Dave and Dan, know that she filled their lives with love from the time they could remember. She loved small children and often stood at her window just to watch as they walked to and from school. She liked reading to children, and she remembered and repeated the precious things small children said as they discovered the world around them.
Regenia was born in South Haven, Michigan at her parents home on a small farm on June 13, 1909, the daughter of Earl C. Valentine and Nellie(Curran)Valentine. She grew up on that farm, went to a one-room school, later graduating from South Haven High School and Western Michigan University. On June 19, 1934 she was married to Francis R. Pellegrom, her college sweetheart. They lived in Mt. Pleasant, Mi before moving to Three Rivers in 1937 where they spent most of the remainder of 56 good years. Francis “Pelly” died in October of 1990.
Regenia was a member of the First Presbyterian Church, the Jeane La Franc and Morning Study Circles, Church Women United, and a 60 year member of the Three Rivers Federated Women’s Club. She enjoyed gardening, hand sewing unique quilts for her family, and reading and cooking(her specialty was her famous pies).
Regenia was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sister, and brother.
Her surviving family members are her two sons, David Pellegrom and his wife, Pat of Midland, MI and Daniel Pellegrom and his wife, Sally of Newton, MA. She leaves five grandchildren, Katherine Riley and her husband, Kirk of Haslett, MI., Jeffrey Pellegrom and his wife Mary, of Eagan, MN, Daniel Pellegrom and his wife, Asma of New York City, Benjamin Pellegrom of Isanbul, Turkey, and Sara Pellegrom also of New York City. Also, left are eight great grandchildren, Nathan Riley, Jordan Pellegrom, Sophia Pellegrom, Graham Riley, Jonah Pellegrom, Isabella Pellegrom, Zara Pellegrom, and Dahlia Pellegrom. She leaves her sister-in-law, Mary and brother-in-law, Morley Wilson and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be at the Hohner Funeral Home from 5:00-7:00p.m.on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
A celebration of Jean’s life will be held at the First Presbyterian Church of Three Rivers on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 11:00a.m.with Rev. Dr. Jon Deily officiating.
Interment will be held at Riverside Cemetery, Three Rivers, MI.
