Regina Ann Bilton

Regina Bilton (née Rockwell) born July 20, 1948 passed away on September 20, 2026 at the age of 78. She is survived by her loving daughter Jessamyn, son in law Ken, beloved grandchildren Jordan Abel and Eva Abel, caring sister and brother in law Lora and Bill Englehart, and cherished nieces and nephew, Erika Geminetti, Bradford Englehart and Marie Melendez; also survived by her former husband Jerry Bilton and his wife Michel.

Regina was born to a college educated, middle-class family in Camden, New Jersey and graduated from Camden Catholic High School in 1966. Her father Daniel Rockwell was an electrical engineer with RCA and her mother Mary (Murtha) Rockwell was a homemaker. She lived with her sister Nathalie (of blessed memory), and her father’s mother, referred to as Mer, a derivative of the French mere (or mother) reflecting her French heritage.

At the University of Delaware Regina quickly completed her B.A. in French (cultivating a lifetime love for all things French) and, later, received a master’s degree in speech pathology at West Chester University. Among many fine qualities she was intelligent, accomplished, adventuresome, and beautiful. Obvious to everyone, her most distinctive feature was her gorgeous red hair, once over three feet long. When cut, it was donated to Locks of Love for an individual with hair loss.

After earning her masters degree, she worked at the Elwyn Institute in Media, Pennsylvania before moving to Dover, Delaware where she became head of her department at then Kent General Hospital. She had a distinguished career as a speech pathologist, touching the lives of many patients along the way.

She lived many years at her home in Middletown, Delaware, which she shared with her long time-partner, Michael Ryan who pre-deceased her, and numerous cat companions. Regina loved gardening at her home and camping in West Virginia. She also enjoyed European travel with her sister in law Lora.

For the past 5 years she lived in Parkville, Maryland to be closer to her daughter’s family and to enjoy and be cared for by the Oakcrest Senior Living community. A private family funeral will be held on October 3rd at Oakcrest.

Those wishing to honor her memory may consider a contribution to the Alzheimer’s Society:

https://www.alz.org/maryland?form=FUNSTKLFHDM