Regina (Jeanne) Stasia Gashi, age 91, of Newville and formerly of Shickshinny, joined her husband Anthony (Whitey) L. Gashi, on her journey from this world on April 5, 2016.

Regina’s parents, Walenty Baluta and Valeria (nee Izbicki) Baluta, escaped the relentless wars and hardships of western provinces of the Russian Empire in the 1800s via Bremen, Germany on the vessel Oldenburg. The Balutas settled in Northeastern Pennsylvania where they played a crucial role in founding the first Polish Roman Catholic mission church in Fairmont Springs, Pennsylvania to serve the growing Roman Catholic community. Regina and her husband continued this tradition of community service by supporting the building of a permanent local church and participating in local economic development, including the Shickshinny Lake Association. 

Regina and Whitey were owners and operators of Muhlenburg Lumber & Supply and before that the Gashi Timber Company. Regina devoted herself to family, church and business in equal measure. While Regina was a natural organizer of people and events and a fiercely productive person, she was at heart an artist and was happiest creating beauty by restoring antique furniture, raising a garden from weeds or painting portraits capturing the raw essence of human personality. But Regina will best be remembered as a good and kind friend to so many and as a deeply loving and fiercely loyal mother to her children.

Regina was a passionate participant in life from an early age, often taking a lead role in championing sensible solutions to social issues first at high school and later in the larger community in which she lived and worked. She was equally passionate about her country and volunteered to help the war effort during World War II at facilities in Berwick, Pennsylvania which had converted their production for the war effort (Berwick American Car and Foundry (“ACF”).  While at ACF, like many women of that time, she was asked to assume tasks that had earlier been relegated to men–she learned to operate forklifts, fuel trucks and other heavy equipment used to move munitions and supplies necessary for the war effort. Later in life, after retiring from business, she became a dedicated hospice worker.

Regina and Whitey have four surviving children, Larry Anthony Gashi of Jacksonville, Florida, Mark Christopher Gashi of Bedford, New Hampshire, Maryann Gashi-Butler of Newville, Pennsylvania (married to Professor William E Butler) and John Anthony Gashi of Annapolis, Maryland. Regina also leaves behind two much loved grandchildren, Ashley Ann Gashi and Zachary Anthony Gashi.  She is survived by siblings Constance Dula and Jerry Baluta.

A Roman Catholic funeral mass followed by burial will be held at Saint Martha’s Church, 260 Bonnieville Road, Fairmont Springs, Pennsylvania on May 14, 2016 at 10 AM.  Gifts in memory of Regina Gashi may be made to Regina’s beloved Flower and Garden Club or Sacred Music Choir of St. Martha’s Church or to a church or charity of your choice.  Ewing Brothers Funeral Home, Carlisle is in charge of the arrangements.

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee

Mighty and dreadful, for thou art not so;

For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow

…One short sleep past, we wake eternally

And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.

“Death, be not proud”

- John Donne