Regina Theodore Kerwynn

Regina T. Kerwynn, 86, known to many as Regina Callaghan, left her friends and family on February 5, 2012 for her final resting place. Strong to the end, she was home when she lost her fight with cancer. Regina was born in Kefferhausen, Germany on February 19, 1925. She came to America in 1949 after marrying George Callaghan and they settled in Alexandria, Virginia. She worked her entire life and with limited resources helped her large family in East Germany. In 1952 her son was born and she worked multiple jobs to send him to Catholic school. In 1967 Regina and her husband opened a small family pest control business. They worked tirelessly to insure its success. When that company was sold in 1999, it had become one of the top 50 grossing privately owned firms in the United States. Throughout her life she always did what she could to help abandoned and mistreated animals. There were many sleepless nights as she worked to save animals from horrible conditions. She hurt for each and every one of them. Her biggest regret was that she couldn't save them all. God must have a large number of animals in heaven that need someone to take care of them, so He called for Regina's help.

She was preceded in death by her husband, George W. Callaghan and leaves behind her only child, George W. Callaghan Jr., his wife, Sharon, a grandson, his wife and three great grandsons. Also saddened is her longtime companion Gerhard Bauch.

Visitation will be at Demaine Funeral Home, 520 S. Washington St. Alexandria, VA from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, February 8. Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 9 at Demaine followed by interment at Mount Comfort.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be sent to Animal Welfare League of Alexandria or the American Cancer Society .