Ida Regina “Reggie” Licht, 97, passed away on September 24, 2018. She was predeceased by her father Jack Steele; mother Jennie Marie Kurikka Steele; step-father Gilbert Curtis; step-father Walter Karpinski; brother Jack Steele; husband Maurice John Licht ; ex-husband George Edward Seal; favorite sister-in-law/friend Helen Steele; best friend Virginia Field; nieces, Jennie, Paulette, Sandy; nephew Paul; cats Sisu, and Samatha; dogs Gigi and Toby.
Left to cherish her memory are her brother Allan Steele; children, Kathleen Suzanne Blanchard (James); Artin John Licht (Beth Ann), and Eva Maria Erdman (Larry Wojcik); nieces Connie and Linda; nephews John, Richard, Mark, and David; grandchildren, Alan Edward Blanchard, Sr. (Leslie), Sarah Louise Hayes (Patrick), Paul Eric Blanchard (Eydie), and Jami Lin Zapata (John Taylor); great grandchildren Alan Edward Blanchard, Jr. (Alisha), Curtis Lee Allison (Corrie), Alexandra Blanchard Hayes, Erin Lillian Di Balardino (Andrew), Emilio Blanchard, Valentina Blanchard, Calista Blanchard, and Devan Leo Zapata; great niece Becky Steele Kirkwood; great nephews Jack Steel Howard and Zackary Steele; great great grandchildren, Alan Edward Blanchard, III, Zoe Paige Allison, Bryson Patrick Di Balardino, and Bear Patrick Allison; and special cat LB(Lover Boy).
Reggie was born May 27, 1921 in Ironwood, Michigan and resided there until she moved to Detroit in 1929 where she was the first member of her family to graduate from High School and went on to attend Business School. Reggie moved to Wayne, Michigan in 1939 where she met and married George Edward “Eddie” Seal in 1941. During WWII, Reggie worked as a stenographer at the war plant while Eddie served in the European Theater. Reggie and Eddie later divorced in 1945.
In 1946 Reggie married Maurice John “Monty” Licht and moved to Detroit where they lived until 1953 when they moved to Inkster, Michigan. Reggie worked as an Admin Assistant in hospitals and clinics until 1983 when she and Monty moved to Tee Lake in Lewiston, Michigan for retirement. Monty passed away in 1993 and in 1996 Reggie moved to Norfolk, Virginia to be near family.
Throughout her life Reggie enjoyed sewing, making our clothes, draperies, bedspreads and many other projects. She enjoyed reading as well as writing and wrote ads for TV. Reggie was a girl scout leader, enjoyed holidays and family gatherings. She was on the Inkster Library Commission, and the Tee Lake Restoration Committee. She participated in the Ladies Craft Club and attended conferences on elderly concerns, and legislative receptions in Richmond, VA with representatives and senators.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the 24/7 caregivers who made it possible for her to remain in her home for over one year. Charmaine Davenport, Chevina Breville, Clarence Pernell, Glory Nieves-Figueroa, Jacquline Lopez, Keisha Harvey, Lynishia Johnson, Saskia Oelze, Tiffany Baker, and Yolanda Graham. Also Heartland Hospice – Alix Aebel RN, and Jessica Rosa SW and staff at Lake Taylor Transitional Hospital where she spent her last days.
