Regina Anne Brazill

She was the daughter of Thomas and Rose (Jetty) Barry.

She is survived by her husband, Lester Yoos of Mesa; and by two sons: William (Teri) of Dunkirk, N.Y., and Mark (Elea) of Santa Monica, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, William; her daughter, Maria (Mark); and her son, Barry (Eileen).

She was a fantastic, loving and generous mother. Regina was never one to shy away from giving advice. It was not unusual for her to start a conversation with, “Well, I don’t want to tell you what to do, but …”

Regina, or “Reggie,” as many called her, lived a long and interesting life. She lived in 17 different places throughout the country and had friends all over the United States. She was ahead of her time and a huge advocate for working women, beginning at General Electric in Syracuse in the 1950s, Tom Wahl’s in Avon, N.Y., in the 1960s, and Plymouth Tube in Dunkirk in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s. She was a huge advocate for women in general, but particularly in the workplace. She always believed that she could do anything a man could do, only better.

She moved to Illinois to continue working for Plymouth Tube in the 1990s, and then later moved with the company to Arizona. She loved the sun and was thrilled to settle there. She retired in her mid-70s.

After her first husband William died, she met Dr. Lester Yoos. They spent 20 years together traveling, fishing, site seeing and enjoying retirement as much as any two people could. They were married in 2015.

Those that knew her well described her as a feisty woman, who had a fantastic sense of humor. Regina was at a doctor’s appointment a few years ago, and the doctor asked her if she smoked. She told him “No.” Her husband was with her and said, “Well, when did you quit?” She said, “It’s none of your business, but last night.”

She will be greatly missed by her children, as well as her grandchildren: Maggie, Shea, Will, Devin, Jordan, Liv and Eden, and her great-grandchildren: Thea and Madelyn. She is also survived by Les’s children, Denise, Debbie and Lester Jr.

A service is scheduled for 2 p.m. May 28 at the Bunker Family Funeral Home, 3529 East University Drive, Mesa, Ariz. There will also be a celebration of her life in Sylvan Beach, N.Y., on Aug. 6. That will be at the Union Chapel. All are welcome.

Contributions in her memory may be made to St. Columban’s on the Lake, 2546 Lake Ave., Silver Creek, NY, 14136.