Regina Marie Barrington

Barrington, Regina Marie, longtime resident of Laramie, former resident of Wichita, passed away in her daughters home at the age of 102, December 17, 2014. Regina was a graduate of Southwestern College in Winfield, KS with a degree in Education. She taught in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, but returned to Kansas to earn her degree in Library Science from Emporia State University. She had a long career as an educator and librarian, but loved the library work and helping people the most. She was head librarian at Friends University and a reference librarian at the Public Library in Wichita, Kansas for over 40 years. Regina moved to Laramie after retirement in 1976. Regina loved to travel. She visited most of the United States and traveled to many countries abroad especially liking Japan and New Zealand. She said she wasnt a good photographer so she always picked up postcards and other memorabilia and let others take the pictures. She was an avid volunteer in Laramie. She volunteered at the Albany County Library (until “computers took over”), the First United Methodist Church library, and the Ivinson Memorial Hospital surgical waiting room. She was recognized for her volunteerism with the Laramie Lions Club and Laramie Daily Boomerang Community Service award in 1995. She continued volunteering into her 90s. Regina was a member for many years of the Laramie Womens Club, and a beloved member of PEO Chapter U. Regina also loved the Cowboys. She attended football and basketball games until she was 92. She especially loved Cowgirl Basketball. Besides sports, Regina also loved the arts. She was a season ticket holder and attended UW Symphony and Cultural programs until she was 93. Regina was preceded in death by her husband Willard (“Bill”) Barrington; her father William Clinton Spear and mother Mary Rebecca Spear; her sister Lucile Tihen (Laramie); and brothers Warren and Karl. She is survived by her daughter, Susan and son-in-law Michael Strong of Laramie; niece, Linda Mallonee and her husband Don of Wichita; many nieces and nephews, and grandnieces/nephews of the Tihen, Spear, and Barrington clans in Laramie, and elsewhere in the U.S. and abroad. Visitation Memorial Service occurred in Laramie, WY. Regina will be buried next to her beloved “Bill” at Wichita Park Cemetery, Tuesday, January 6, 2015, at 11:00 A.M. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in her name. Downing Lahey East Mortuary.