Tributes

The Nugent family is heartbroken to share that their beloved matriarch Regina “Jean” Nugent, left us on August 5, 2022. She passed away peacefully and with uncompromising grace in her South Carolina home. Though we will forever grieve our loss, we find great comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her one true love, Jack. When we reflect on Jean’s life, it is impossible to list all the lives she enriched and, we are confident, saved. Her family wishes to acknowledge how proud we are to have shared her with those people. Jean was born a proud first-generation American to Slovak immigrants on April 16, 1935, to parents Matthew and Susan Smehosky in Dupont, Pennsylvania. The baby of the family is preceded in death by her brothers Matthew, John, and Stephen. Jean received her early education at Saint Cyril Academy in Danville, PA, and later graduated from The College of New Jersey. On July 31,1955, Jean married the love of her life, John “Jack” H.C. Nugent. Together they raised four fine children, Ann, Jon, James, and Christine, in their Califon, NJ home. Jean opened Haytown Nursery School in Clinton Township, NJ, and dedicated her career to teaching and nurturing countless children during their formative years. After retirement, Jean and Jack purchased a vacation farmhouse, eventually their permanent residence, in Starrucca, Pennsylvania. The Nugent family and many of Jean and Jack’s friends spent plenty of happy holidays and vacations at “The Farm.” Jean and Jack shared love, laughter, and a beautiful life until Jack’s passing on April 12, 2009. After Jack’s death, Jean moved to her final residence in Murrell’s Inlet, South Carolina. When she wasn’t enjoying traveling stateside and even abroad to Paris in her golden years, Jean always had her door open for visits from friends and family (except when she was out shopping, laughing, and dining with “the girls”). Jean loved to read, was devoted to her faith and church, and was a lifelong learner. She delighted in spending time with her family and was sure to remind her grandchildren that “Gram will come to pick you up” at the airport whenever they could visit. Jean was a superb wife, mother, sister, aunt, cousin, teacher, and friend. However, her grandchildren would argue that the role she was most splendid at fulfilling was simply Gram. Jean is survived by her children; Ann (Scott) Maple, Jon (Bonnie) Nugent, James Nugent, and Christine Nugent. Her grandchildren; Sarah (Michelle Orengo-McFarlane) Maple, Gregory (Chrissy) Maple, Danielle (Kevin Cassidy) Nugent, Matthew Orecchio, and Kara Orecchio. She also leaves behind a legacy of 6 great-grandchildren. Memorial services will be held at Goldfinch Funeral Home in Murrells Inlet, SC on August 16, 2022 at 11 am. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hospice of Murrells Inlet, SC.

Tributes

Regina M. Nugent

April 16, 1935 - August 5, 2022