WORCESTER: Regina V. McNamara, 95, of 1 Dean St., died Wednesday, October 20, 2004, in Christopher House, 10 Mary Scano Drive, after a short illness.
She leaves a number of nieces and nephews, including, nephews Carleton H. LaPorte, Jr. and John A. LaPorte with whom she lived for more than 50 years. She also leaves a nephew, Rev. George L. O'Brien, pastor of Holy Cross Church in East Templeton. Among her grandnieces and grandnephews, she leaves Carleton H. LaPorte, III, William H.E. LaPorte, II and Justin A. LaPorte, all of Worcester; Amy Bonneau and Scott D. Bonneau of Shrewsbury, and Meghan LaPorte of Jefferson. She was predeceased by her sister, Irene M. (McNamara) LaPorte, with whom she lived until her death in 1996; her sister, Ruth I. O'Brien in 1988, and her twin brothers, Joseph F. McNamara in 1970, and Rev. Msgr. John H. McNamara in 1991. Her niece and principal caregiver Mary Ann (LaPorte) Bonneau of Shrewsbury, died last May 26th.
Miss McNamara was the last surviving of eight children. She was born February 25, 1909 in Clinton Hospital, daughter of the late John H. and Martha V. (McGee) McNamara. She lived in Worcester since the family moved here when she was 5. After she graduated from Commerce High School, she was employed for many years as a sales clerk at the former J.C. McInnes Department Store in Worcester. In 1958, she partnered with her sister Irene M. LaPorte in the Carleton H. LaPorte Photography Studios until its closing in 1980. She was deeply involved in caring for many of her grandnieces and grandnephews even while working. She was a long time member of Our Lady of Fatima Church and an active participant in a number of parish activities.
CALLING HOURS will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 22, in KELLY FUNERAL HOME, 154 Lincoln St. A FUNERAL MASS will be held on Saturday, Oct. 23, at 10 a.m. in OUR LADY OF FATIMA CHURCH, 43 Belmont St. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Lancaster, MA. The family suggests donations in her memory be made to the Community of Teresian Carmelites, P.O. Box 826, Worcester, MA 01613 or to the VNA Care Hospice, 120 Thomas St., Worcester, MA 01608.