Regena Rae Kavanagh of Henrico, VA, formerly of Buxton, NC, and Hardyville, VA passed away peacefully on March 9, 2025.
She was born February 19, 1949, in Buchanan, WV, and was the daughter of the late Dr. Donzel Pugh and Emogene Bickel Pugh.
Regena grew up in Webster Springs, WV, and graduated from Webster Springs High School in 1967. She then went to Marshall University, where she met her devoted husband, Joseph Daniel Kavanagh Jr., and they married in 1969. She got her degree in Library Science from there, graduating in 1972. She was an educator for 40 years and concluded her career in 2011 at Rappahannock Elementary School as a media specialist (librarian).
Together with her husband Dan, Regena raised her two sons in Cowen, West Virginia, and later in Hardyville, Virginia. After retiring, she and Dan moved to Cape Hatteras Island, North Carolina. Regena was always ready for an adventure with her family, whether it was skiing in the mountains or sailing on the Chesapeake Bay. After retiring, she had more time to enjoy reading her books, listening to Dan play the guitar, and watching her favorite baseball teams, the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs, play. Her grandchildren were dear to her, and she loved spending time with all of them.
In addition to her father and mother, Regena was preceded in death by her grandson Lee P. Kavanagh; beloved husband Joseph D. Kavanagh Jr.; brother James D. Pugh; special four-legged companion Gypsy.
Regena is survived by her sons Joseph D. Kavanagh III (Natalie) of Frisco, NC and William J. Kavanagh (Carole) of Henrico; her grandchildren Joseph IV, Thomas and Patrick of Frisco and Campbell, Carson and Carlie of Henrico; brother Joseph E. Pugh (Linda) of Webster Springs, WV; her brothers and sisters in law; Alicia Bursae (Gary), Sheila Smith (Greg), John Kavanagh (Judy), Patricia Rainwater (Tom), Sarah Webb (Jon), and a host of nieces and nephews and great-nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.
Should you wish to honor her, please make donations to a local library or elementary school library to carry on her love of books and reading or a charity of your choice.
A Celebration of Life is planned for June 1, 2025, from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
The Colonies Clubhouse
2801 Causeway Drive
Henrico, VA 23233
