Longtime Little Silver resident Regina “Jeannie” Marie McDonald passed away peacefully on Dec. 17 at home, surrounded by family. She was 86.

Known as Jeannie to friends and family, and Gigi to the many children who adored her, the wife, mother, grandmother, sister aunt and friend was born in South Orange to Frank and Fran (Cagney) Maguire. She was a graduate of Marymount University, a communicant of Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven, a member of Monmouth Beach Bath & Tennis Club and Navesink Country Club. 

The “longtime resident of Little Silver, a town she adored … she was known for her quick wit, generous spirit, devotion to family, and love of a good competition, especially on the tennis courts and golf course. In summer, she loved nothing more than being at MBB&T (Monmouth Beach Bath & Tennis Club) surrounded by family and friends. She was known to be seen regularly leading her grandchildren and their friends (and sometimes some other willing adults) boogie boarding, jumping on the ocean trampoline, rafting, or taking a ride down a bouncy castle slide, well into her 80s.
She will be remembered for being devoted to her faith and the Blessed Mother. Her greatest love was family,
and the feeling was mutual.”

Loved ones of Jeannie McDonald in her obituary

Regina is survived by her loving children; Virginia and her husband Walter O’Connor of Rumson, Paul of Bethlehem, PA, Regina McDonald of Princeton and David and his wife Elizabeth of Larchmont, NY, her 12 grandchildren; Keri and husband Gregory Nelson of Edgewater, MD, Timothy O’Connor and wife Caitin of Morristown, Daniel O’Connor and wife Erica of Morristown, Kevin and Mark O’Connor, Paul, Stephen, Katie and Willis McDonald; Zoe McDonald, Olivia and Nicholas McDonald; her great-grandchildren; Ella and Gracie Rose Nelson, Bennett O’Connor and Caden and Chase O’Connor, her brother, Paul Maguire of Oceanport and sister Kathy Tierney of Little Silver and many loved nieces and nephews.

Regina was predeceased by: her husband of 56 years, Gene, in 2014; her parent; brothers, James and Frank Maguire; and sisters, Mary Fran Carey, Ann McDonough, Winifred Schubert and Clair Byrne. 

Visitation will be held on Thursday, Dec. 23, from 10 to 11 a.m. at Church of the Nativity in Fair Haven. A mass of christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. followed by burial at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown. 
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wounded Warriors Project, PO Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675-8516. 

— Edited obituary provided by family via John E. Day Funeral Home

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