LEBANON, NH — Regis H. Jette passed away peacefully on Tuesday, November 27 at Wheelock Terrace Assisted Living with family at her side. She was born in Hanover, NH on July 14, 1920 to Earl and Ruby (Ryan) Heath, Sr. She was the eldest of 3 children, lived in Canaan for several years, and then moved to Lebanon following the death of her mother in 1929. Regis was 9 years old. Her dream was to graduate from eighth grade with her friends from the one room schoolhouse in Canaan. That dream was fulfilled by an Aunt who gifted her with daily train rides (Lebanon-Canaan).
At Lebanon High School, Regis met Adrian Jette. They were married on September 5, 1938, lived on West Street and were Blessed with four children before moving to the Jette Homestead on Hanover Street. In 1970 they built a home on Slayton Hill. Regis and Adrian celebrated their 58th Wedding Anniversary before he passed away in 1997.
Regis worked at the Hitchcock Clinic as Receptionist on Desk 200 for twenty years before retiring in 1983. Socialization and what to do upon retirement was very important to Regis. She was one of the founders of the Upper Valley Senior Center. Her commitment to the success of the Center was evident. Regis served as Team Captain for congregant meals on Monday, participated in the Center’s programs and activities such as senior trips, fashion shows, bake sales, yard sales and the like. Regis promoted the Center on radio talk shows, and advocated at City Council Meetings. She was very active in her church and in the community. At Sacred Heart Parish she served on the Social Committee, Martha Ministry, Pastoral Council, and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America. In the community Regis was a member and past president of the Hartford Emblem Club, the Lebanon Fire Department’s Womens Auxillary, worked on the voter checklist for Ward 2, was a volunteer staffer in the Information Booth for the Chamber of Commerce, and volunteered in the American Red Cross Blood Services Program at Alice Peck Day Hospital.
Regis embraced and was proud of her Irish heritage. She celebrated St. Patrick’s Day to its fullest, and in between when the opportunity presented itself. She attributed her spirit, feistiness, persistence, and speaking her mind to being Irish!
Regis most enjoyed all the gatherings and special occasions throughout the year with her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, and friends. She loved picnics and cookouts, and the parades on Memorial Day, Alumni Day and 4th of July. Regis was an avid reader especially about Irish history related stories, places where she traveled in New England, the South, various historical places across the country and Hawaii.
Regis is pre-deceased by her parents Earl and Ruby (Ryan) Heath, two brothers Earl (Boze) Heath and John Heath, her husband Adrian, a Grandson Tyree John Baliko, and a Daughter-in-Law Sheila (Griggs) Jette.
Survivors are her four children: Earl (Bob) Jette, Marguerite (Rudolph) Baliko, Anne Jette, and James (Dianne) Jette; Eleven Grandchildren: Glenn Jette, Lisa Godfrey, Laura Townsend, Douglas Jette, Dan (Elizabeth) Jette, Christopher Baliko and Allison Valentino, Janelle Baliko, Eric (Heidi) Baliko, Ryan Baliko, Michael (Maria Ana) Jette, Greg Jette; 19 Great Grandchildren, 3 Great Great Grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family is grateful to the administrative staff, nurses, Resident Assistants, Activities Coordinator, Residents and everyone at Wheelock Terrace and to the Hospice/Bayada Care Team for their kindness, friendliness, excellent care and support during these past months.
Family and friends are invited to Regis’s calling hours at Ricker Funeral Home in Lebanon on Monday the 3rd from 4 to 7 PM. A Mass of Christian burial be celebrated on Tuesday the 4th at 10AM. Burial will follow in the Valley Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Upper Valley Senior Center, 2 Campbell Street, Lebanon, NH 03766. An online guest book is available to leave a message of condolence for Regis’s family by visiting www.rickerfuneralhome.com