Regina E. (Leary) Pratt

“Spread love everywhere you go. Let no one ever come to you without leaving happier”
- Mother Teresa

Words will never adequately describe the spirit of those who have passed, and Regina Ellen Pratt, fondly known as “Reg”, will be no exception. After all, it’s impossible to capture the fullness of 80 years of living, laughing, and loving in just a few sentences.

And Reg did live. Born and raised in Worcester, MA as the 3rd of four children, she was part of the very first graduating class of Norte Dame Academy. She met her sweetheart, Robert Pratt, during high school, and this July celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. She was a fabulous mother, a great cook, a talented painter, a jewelry enthusiast, a loving wife, and a great friend and neighbor. She loved to dance, play cards, and trade stories. Later in life she enjoyed working at St. Christopher’s bingo nights and staying active with her pool pals.

And Reg did love to laugh. She had a great sense of humor, and never shied away from even the silliest of jokes. She was sassy too, with glorious expressions of all-out shock that her kids would dare tease her! But she gave as good as she got, and filled the space with laughter that could make you cry with joy. Joyful she absolutely was, and with no pretense about it - she was genuinely happy. It was the kind of happiness that comes from living a life surrounded by friends and family.

And Reg had a really big family: 8 kids, 9 grandchildren, a loving husband, 4 in-laws, 3 siblings, the “Pool Pals”, the “Bingo Crew”, the “Canasta Ladies”, anyone who came over for “Spaghetti Night” (every Thursday), and the list goes on. Make no mistake, it was not a matter of blood relation to make you every bit a part of her family, it was a matter of love. And Reg Loved. She loved people. She was a woman with a big heart, and a soft hug, and was always up for a social call. Holidays were her favorite. She loved to make a great meal and have the whole family over. She loved seeing friends and baking for people. She loved doting on her grandkids, creating a special beach-towel-Christmas-gift tradition just for them. She made people feel special.

She was special. The amount of love, and light, and joy she brought to this world and to those lucky enough to know her, is matched only by how sorely she will be missed. On the morning of September 24th, 2020, Regina Pratt died listening to her favorite music, surrounded by her loved ones, after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Reg, without a doubt we all love you more than words can express.

“You live only once, but if you do it right, once is enough” - Mae West

Reg is survived by her husband Robert, four sons, Robert and his wife Darcy, David, Richard, and John and his wife Devon, three daughters, Robin and her husband Steven, Diane, and Barbara and her husband Michael as well as nine grandchildren, Ben, Sara, Emily, Sean, Brendan, Justin, Danielle, Meghan & Colin. Reg also leaves a brother, H. Richard Leary and a sister Roseanne Ferrandino. She was predeceased by her daughter Theresa and her brother Bobby. .

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Reg’s family from 3 to ­5 pm on Sunday, September 27th at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street, Holden. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Monday, September 28th at St. Christopher’s Church, 950 West Boylston St., Worcester, followed by burial at St. John’s Cemetery in Worcester Donations can be made to: The Rett Syndrome Research Trust, 67 Under Cliff Road Trumbull, Ct 06611

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