Cecelia Carol Albregts

Proud of her Irish heritage, Cecelia was born on March 28, 1937, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Joseph and Verna (née Roth) O’Brien. The twelfth of thirteen children, Cecelia grew up on the family farm in Tippecanoe County, where faith and hard work shaped the foundation of her life. She graduated from Shadeland High School and carried a deep appreciation for her rural upbringing.

On July 28, 1956, Cecelia married the love of her life, Richard T. Albregts, at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Lafayette. Together they raised four sons and built a beautiful life over 69 years of marriage.

Cecelia was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and loyal friend. Before starting her family, she worked at Sears Roebuck, and later at Orth Realty in Racine, Wisconsin, once her sons were grown. But her heart was always centered around caring for her family and serving her community. She volunteered in countless ways—holding roles in the PTA, teaching religious education at St. Joseph Catholic Church, and later joining her husband to prepare high school students for Catholic confirmation. She was a longtime volunteer at St. Mary’s Hospital in Racine, generously giving over 27 years of service, and supported many athletic events at St. Catherine’s High School.

Cecelia was also a past member of Meadowbrook Country Club, an active member of the Junior League of Racine, and a parishioner of both St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church in Racine and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Las Vegas.

After Richard’s retirement, the two embraced their life as “snow birds,” spending winters in Las Vegas and summers in Wisconsin. They shared a love of travel and enjoyed memorable trips across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, the Caribbean, and much of the United States.

Cecelia found joy in the simple but meaningful parts of life—reading, quilting, entertaining, and especially running. As the mother of four sons, she often fondly recalled her father telling her

that if she raised her boys well, she would be blessed one day with four wonderful daughters-in-law. She loved to say that this promise came true. She was immensely proud of her sons, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren—their accomplishments, their character, and the families they built. Her greatest blessing, she always said, was her family.

Cecelia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Richard. She is survived by her sons Jeffrey R. (Mary) of Las Vegas, Nevada; Patrick D. (Denise) of Windsor, Wisconsin; Daniel J. (Stacey) of Las Vegas, Nevada; and Douglas B. (Lisa) of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey. She leaves behind twelve treasured grandchildren—Courtney Derr (Hugh Jacob), Benjamin Albregts (Rebecca), Krista Brückmann (Harold), Ryan Albregts (Ella), Tyler Albregts (Hannah), Colleen Edman (Miles), Zachary Albregts, Samuel Albregts, Maddison Albregts, Jackson Albregts, Riley Albregts, and Mae Albregts—and nine great-grandchildren: Reagan Albregts, Sophia Albregts, Beowulf Derr, Adelyn Albregts, Mila Albregts, Lillian Derr, Csilla Albregts, Teagan Albregts, and Aidan Albregts.

She was preceded in death by her parents, five brothers, and seven sisters.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Cecelia C. Albregts may be made to St. Catherine’s High School in Racine, Wisconsin (www.saintcats.org) or to the Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health in Las Vegas, Nevada (www.my.clevelandclinic.org).

Her legacy of kindness, service, and unwavering love lives on in everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.