Sandy Regnier

Sandy Regnier, aged 74, of Billings, MT, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family; in the early morning hours of November 28th from respiratory failure due to pneumonia complicated by a long, courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Her family loved her deeply and remained by her side, surrounding her with love in her final days and moments. Her husband, Don, and daughter, Melissa, were able to hold her hand as she passed.

Sandra “Sandy” Jeanne Kelly Regnier was born on March 24th, 1950, to Edith Derry Kelly & William Kelly. Her beloved siblings later joined her: brother Jim and sister Barb. She shared a birthday with her sister, Barb, and later her father-in-law and grandson, Merritt. This was something very special to her. She loved animals and had a special fondness for her childhood pony, Goldie, and their cousin’s horse, Joker, who she got to ride in the Ennis, MT parade one summer, and the family boxer, Champ. She met her best friend Claudia when they were 10 years old and remained friends till this day. During high school, she had the opportunity to travel throughout Europe for 6 weeks along with Claudia as part of the People To People Program, visiting England, Holland, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Hungary, Italy, France, and Yugoslavia.  In 1965, she even had the opportunity to travel to Portland, Oregon, with her friend Diana to see the Beatles in concert and interview them for the local paper. When she was a teenager, she signed up for a Pen Pal through a magazine and began writing Wray from Ireland. She loved corresponding with Wray and always looked forward to receiving her letters. Their friendship grew over the years, and both declared they were the best of friends who had never met.

In January of 1967, She met our Dad, Don Regnier, at “the point” downtown while he was on leave from the United States Navy. She took him out for a coke with 2 of their other friends. Needless to say, it was love at first sight for both of them, and they spent the evening talking for hours. They stayed in touch, writing letters while he was in the Navy in Vietnam. In January of 1968, he was honorably discharged from the Navy and reunited with our Mom. She graduated from Senior High School in May of 1968 and, by the fall of 1968, started college in Bozeman. Then, on November 8th, 1968, they eloped in Bozeman and began their lives together, honeymooning in a cabin in Gardiner, MT.

From then on, they had many adventures together and shared a love like no other throughout their 56 years of marriage. Their family started to grow with the birth of their son, Bart, in 1969, followed by Deanna, Bryan, and Melissa. Family was everything to our Mom; she devoted her life to being the best Wife, Mom, Grandma, Daughter, Sister, and Friend anyone could imagine. We each had a special relationship with her that we will cherish forever.

Mom always looked for the good in everything and chose to see the best in people. She had the best sense of humor and always kept us laughing and smiling. Her kids were her pride and joy, and she was always there for us no matter the circumstances. She loved decorating the house for the holidays and the in-between, the colors blue and purple, and made everything beautiful. She enjoyed going antiquing, shopping with her daughters, and going to craft bazaars with her sister. She had a passion for keeping track of the family Genealogy and loved the history and stories of the past. She loved watching the birds out her front window, tending to her flowers outside, and various word games and crossword puzzles. Reading was one of her favorite pastimes, and she loved to read one of her “cozy” mysteries in bed late into the night while cuddled up with Dad. She especially enjoyed their drives around town to grab a Coke or a hamburger and to watch planes fly in on the Rims. Some of her favorite family vacations were to Disneyland, San Francisco, Denver, and our yearly trips to a cabin in Ennis, MT.

She adored her grandchildren and was always up for playing games with them or reading them stories and spoiling them as Grandmas do. She loved getting drawings and cards from her grandsons and had their pictures up all over her fridge. She had a special bond with her grandson Peyton, as my parents were able to babysit him often when he was little, and they became very close. She often said she specially ordered his dimples and helped him grow by giving him foot rubs when he was little.

In the Fall of 2023, she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, and our world changed forever. Through it all, she always worried about everyone else besides herself. She was so incredibly brave and strong, more than all of us  combined. She endured so much and yet stayed positive, kept her sense of humor, and took the time to show appreciation for everyone she encountered. She often told others how loved and cared for she felt.

She is survived by her adoring husband, Don Regnier, and children, Bart Regnier (Shelby) of Aurora, Colorado, Deanna (Pat) Kidd of Absarokee, MT, Bryan (Shannon) Regnier of Billings, MT, and Melissa (Justin) Bergerson of Billings, MT. Grandsons Ben, Nate, Peyton, Grayson, and Merritt. Sister Barb (Rod) Kunze and nephews Levi (Allison) Grosskop and Matt Grosskop. Along with dear friends Claudia, Wray, Eileen, and Rebecca.She was preceded in death by her Mom, Edith Derry Kelly, Dad, William Kelly, and brother Jim Kelly. Cremation has taken place, and in accordance with her wishes, no formal public service will be held. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation or Type 1 Diabetes Foundation.

Our hearts are shattered, and we miss her terribly. She was so much more than what we can convey here. She taught us all what true love is.

A quote from one of her favorites that we will hold dear:

“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart. I’ll stay there forever” – A. A. Milne – Winnie the Pooh.

We love you more!!!