Regina Eileen Brest

Regina was born on May 9, 1945, in New York to Marion J. Englert and John F. Miller. She grew up in Queens, New York. Following her parents’ divorce, she was raised with the love and support of her stepfather, Henry Bangert. Regina was an only child but was fortunate to have many cousins who were an important part of her extended family.

She later lived in New Jersey before eventually making North Carolina her home. Regina was primarily a homemaker, although she also worked intermittently in secretarial and administrative positions. She enjoyed volunteering with Wake Med Hospital and with the USO.

Regina was married to Terence Edward Brest for 49 years until Terence’s passing on May 13, 2017. Regina and Terence especially enjoyed raising their two daughters, spending time at their lakehouse, and traveling together. In more recent years, Regina was fortunate to share companionship and a loving relationship with Donald Peterson.

Regina was raised in the Episcopal faith and converted to Catholicism when she married Terence. Her faith remained an important part of her life, and she placed her family and God at the center of all that she did.

Regina had a creative spirit and enjoyed many hobbies throughout her life. She loved oil painting, sewing, and quilting, taking great pleasure in creating things with her own hands. She was also an avid reader and could often be found with a book. She was an excellent cook. She loved traditions, especially those that brought family together, and took joy in both carrying on traditions from the past and creating new ones for future generations.

Regina's family was at the heart of her life. She was a loving, determined, and deeply involved grandmother who took great joy in being present for her grandchildren. She attended their activities, shared holidays and special occasions, made things for them, cooked for them, and created traditions and memories that they will carry with them throughout their lives. Regina had a way of showing her love through the things she did for the people she cared about.

Regina later resided at Cambridge Village of Apex, where she became an active and valued member of the community. She participated in the Dining Committee and the Lifestyle Committee and enjoyed contributing her time and talents in Arts and Crafts activities. She cherished the friendships she made there and the connections she formed with those around her.

She is survived by her daughters, Jennifer Van den Bout and Kimberley Hughes; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Ledbetter, James Ledbetter, and Anna Brestyenszky; and her great-grandson, Billy Brestyenszky. She will also be remembered by her many cousins, extended family members, and friends.

Regina will be remembered for her determination, creativity, generosity, faith, and devotion to her family. She loved deeply, gave generously, and believed in the importance of family, faith, and traditions. Her legacy lives on not only in the people she loved, but in the traditions she carried forward and the new ones she created for generations to come.

She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered.

Details about her Celebration of Life will be forthcoming.