JUPITER, FL – Ellen Phoebe Regensburger, known as “Toni” to her friends and family, suddenly and peacefully passed away on May 14, 2020 at her home in Jupiter, Florida. Toni was born to her loving parents, Ernest A. Anthonis and Ruth Smith Anthonis on June 12, 1921 in East Haven, CT. She attended school in East Haven and went on to study nursing in New Haven. While she was working in the hospital she met her future husband Albert F. Regensburger Jr., known as Al, who predeceased her 10 years ago.
Toni was always very involved in her community, she put in many hours volunteering her time in the gift shop at Noble Hospital. For the Westfield Red Cross, she drove cancer patients to receive treatment and offered a helping hand where ever needed. Toni was also very active in the Westfield High School Gridiron Mothers Club and in Scouting for her children. She also enjoyed going to the YMCA in the morning with her friends. She was an active bridge player at the Westfield Woman’s Club.
Toni was known for her culinary expertise, she enjoyed hosting gourmet dinner parties for Stanley Home Products Associates; friends and family celebrations as well. Every Sunday wouldn’t be complete without the family and grandchildren arriving for Sunday dinner. She did all the preparation with such ease.
When Al retired, they decided to become permanent Florida residents residing in Jupiter. Toni enjoyed meeting her new neighbors and quickly found herself playing bridge once again. For several years, she led water aerobics at their pool. Toni’s favorite thing was going out for dinner, which is where she could dress up and always wear fancy earrings to complete her outfit. The restaurant owners would see her come in and there would be an extra, dry Beefeaters martini in front of her. She enjoyed life to the maximum and on her terms.
Toni is survived by her brother Ernest Anthonis and his wife Joan of Branford, CT, her six children; Lynn of Hemet, CA, Albert and his wife Roxanne of Jupiter, FL, James and his wife Theresa of Memphis, TN, Michael and his wife Susan of Westfield, MA, Nancy and her husband Brian Houlihan of Southwick, MA, Brian and his wife Lisa of Westfield, MA. She had fourteen grandchildren; Joy, June, Julie, James, Pamela, Samantha, Albert, Beth, Steven, Emily, Ellen, Brenna, Heather and Taylor. She had twenty-one great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren. Toni was predeceased by her brother, Alphonse Anthonis, her sisters Adeline Anderson and Miriam Tedesco, a son in-law Victor Cortes, and two grandsons Jeffery S Regensburger and Christopher J Regensburger.
Donations can be made in Ellen “Toni” Regensburger’s memory to: Jupiter Medical Center Foundation, 110 South Dixie Highway, Jupiter, FL Rest in peace Mom.
