Karen Alexis Regas passed peacefully at Baptist Hospital, Jacksonville, Florida on May 2, 2018. She was 69 years old. Karen was born in St. Louis, Missouri and moved to Jacksonville with her family when she was 9 years old. She graduated from Wolfson High School, where she was a member of the swim team and a Wolfpack Cheerleader. She and fellow girlfriends were the self appointed “Wild Bunch” of the Class of ’67! She graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in entomology, and participated in research under Dr. Dale Habeck of UF to find biological controls for mosquitoes. Later entomology interests included beekeeping at her home in Coconut Grove; work at the Florida Dept. of Agriculture; and a lifelong love of all things Lepidoptera!
Her career followed a creative path as a Photography Stylist for print advertising, working with both German and American ad agencies to set up shoots from Colorado and New York to South Florida and the Caribbean. Karen knew no strangers, always making a memorable impression as a stylist for her photography models and sites. One of her favorite shoots was working with baseball great Brady Anderson of the Baltimore Orioles.
Karen had many passionate interests, including organic gardening, photography, her Rottweilers Montana and Savannah, and her red-footed Argentinian tortoise, Frances. She had her own unique calligraphy style that made every letter she penned notable. People were drawn to her because of her personal warmth and intuitive nature, which was frequently evidenced by the nicknames she gave that would last a lifetime! She always said she didn't love large groups, but she could never enter a group and go unnoticed. Karen was distinctive…truly an original.
Karen is predeceased by her loving parents, Frieda and Lloyd Regas, as well as uncles Dan, Con and Art Demmas. She is survived by sister Stephanie McEvoy (Peter) of San Diego, and brother Chris Regas (Wendy) of Jacksonville. She was a creative and fun-loving Thea to nieces Anastasia Houston (Casey), Meredith Kurosko (Steven), Allison Keener (Tyler), and Zoe Regas; and to nephew Lloyd Regas (Maureen). She will be missed by her many Demmas cousins and 3 aunts.
Special appreciation is expressed to her personal physician, Dr. Glock, and to the many caring doctors and nurses of Baptist Medical Center who treated her with such dignity and heartfelt compassion.
May her memory be eternal.
Trisagion and Funeral Service 11:00 AM, Monday May 7, 2018
St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church
3850 Atlantic Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Officiated by Rev. Dr. Nicholas G. Louh
Makaria luncheon immediately after the service, followed by interment at Oaklawn Cemetery.
*In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. John the Divine Capital Campaign.
http://stjohnthedivinejax.org/live-broadcast
