Regina Frederika Blackburn died at Frederick Memorial Hospital surrounded by her family on 9 February, 2014.
Regina was born on 23 October 1927 to Walter and Martha Stapel in Berlin, Germany. She endured the WWII era living in Berlin with nightly bombings by both the British and American. In her early years, she attended boarding schools in Austria and Poland. After Christmas 1945, she returned to the Polish boarding school until it was almost overrun by the Russian Army. The students at the boarding school were told to leave the school and go back with ethnic German farmers walking back to return to Germany. Instead of following directions, Gina and several friends decided to go to the train station and see if they could board any trains to return to Germany. A freight train with wounded German soldiers stopped for water and the students were taken aboard. The temperature during that winter was about 0 degrees and the train had to pass through the Russian and German lines several times. It took over 3 weeks in subfreezing temperatures to arrive at the outskirts of Berlin which was being overrun by the Russian Army. It was a horrendous trip and affected her entire life. Regina was fortunate to be one of eight girls to graduate from Berlin High School in 1946. During this time she met her future husband, Cpl. Asa (Pete) O. Blackburn. He was assigned to a youth club where heat, light, and school paper were supplied to the German Youth. After graduation, Regina went to interpreter’s school and applied in 1946 to the Thomas A. Roberts American Army Dependent School. The war was hardly over and she was quickly hired as a first grade teacher. Regina enjoyed one of best Christmases she ever had was while she was teaching. Her family and friends were starving but the students brought her gifts of food and coffee, and additional support was sent but the American Teachers in packages. She also worked as an interpreter for various British and American Army units in and around Berlin.
Pete and Gina were married 23 October 1948 in Bensheim Germany on her 21st Birthday by the town's Burgermeister called in from hunting. Together they had five children- Peter (Deborah), Thomas,. Wendy (Jon), John (Deborah) and James (Margaret). As an Army family they lived at various duty stations across the globe- Hokkaido Japan; Newport, Rhode Island; Ft Monmouth, New Jersey, Germany (various Garrisons), Ft Meade, Maryland and Ft Benning, Georgia. Gina and Pete enjoyed a wonderful Army career that went from Corporal to Major. It was a very special time of her life and one that she enjoyed immensely. She was really active in many aspects of Volunteer Life. She ran Girl Scout Troops, Cub Scout Dens, Sunday Schools, Children's Choirs and Red Cross during those years.
Following Pete's retirements from the service, Regina remained active in various church functions. She taught many a child to sing "This Little Light of Mine" from Japan to Germany to New Jersey, to Nebraska, to Georgia, to North Carolina. She was a choir member in every church they attended and was a member of St Paul’s Lutheran Church’s choir in Walkersville.
Gina was active in the American Red Cross serving as a Grey Lady and ending her career as the Director Volunteers for New York, New Jersey and Connecticut following Mrs. Harriman's tenure. She was a volunteer with the Frederick Memorial Hospital Auxiliary and enjoyed spending time working with her daughter Wendy on various efforts for the Gift shop.
Gina was a loving wife, mother, grandmother to Amy, Thomas, Sarah, Matthew, Ryan, Katie, Tobias, William, Amanda and Julia. She was great grandmother to Monica, Ken, Magnolia, Violet, Grace, Quinn, Henry, and Delaney. Gina was always very proud of her family and she took an active role in their lives. She was predeceased by her parents, a brother Gerhardt, a newborn daughter and her son Thomas.
Gina will be sincerely missed by her family. We will always remember all the wonderful times as well as her strength and support in bad. We love her so very much.
A memorial service will be held Wednesday 12 February at 12 Noon with a reception following at St Paul's Lutheran Church Walkersville. Any memorials may be sent to St Paul's Lutheran Church for choir music.