Anne Marie E. Regan

OBITUARY

Anne Marie E. Regan, a trailblazer in women’s politics in Lackawanna County and a lifelong resident of the Bellevue section of Scranton, died Wednesday at Hospice of the Sacred Heart in Dunmore surrounded by loved ones. A daughter of the late Frank M. and Claire MacDonald Regan, she was a member of Holy Cross Parish until its closing and later St. Patricks Parish.

A 1949 graduate of West Scranton High School, Anne Marie attended Lackawanna Junior College while working as a switchboard operator at Scranton Dry Goods and devouring a private collection of secretarial manuals in her spare time. When a position opened in the Scranton mayor’s office, conections at Scranton Dry got her the interview, but the manuals got her the job.

For the next forty years she walked to City Hall or Courthouse Square every day.

Starting as a receptionist and working her way up to auditor in the office of the City Controller, Anne Marie served under four administrations for the city of Scranton: late Mayors James T. Hanlon, William T. Schmidt, and James J. Walsh, and Mayor Eugene J. Peters.

She served as a member of the Scranton City Democratic Committee and in 1972 was elected to the Pennsylvania Democratic State Committee.

After hearing a slight by a Democratic power broker of the time, she resolved to run for the office of Recorder of Deeds as an independent in 1973.

Heels polished and hair perfect, she campaigned from Vandling to Thornhurst, attending church dinners and community events, telling people everywhere she went that it was time for a change. Every news outlet endorsed her; even one that opposed the existence of the office itself.

The party ignored her until they couldn’t: she won her primary and general elections in landslides, making Anne Marie the first woman elected to a Lackawanna County row office. She was re-elected a then-record four times, serving as Recorder of Deeds from 1974 to 1994, when she decided to retire.

At a time when local offices and boards were occupied exclusively by men, Anne Marie became a resource to many women who would follow her lead and choose to run for public office. Her advice, encouragement, and assistance led to many successes, in which she took great delight.

Anne Marie was a member of the Pennsylvania Recorders of Deeds Association, the Pennsylvania Association for the Blind, the Purple Club, and the Lackawanna County Federation of Democratic Women, in addition to being active in many charitable and civic affairs. She served on the Governors Commission on Crime and Juvenile Delinquency, appointed by the late Gov. Milton Schapp.

A devout Catholic, Anne Marie celebrated her Irish heritage, her countless friends, and her family with quick wit and charm. She traveled the world, met five presidents, spent over 40 years in public service, and yet never missed a birthday or an anniversary and cared for her parents as they aged.

In addition to a remarkable legacy, Anne Marie leaves behind a brother, Robert P. Regan, a sister in-law, Joann Regan, numerous nieces and nephews, and many beloved friends including Carrie Giannone and the Calpin family.

She was also preceded in death by her dear longtime companion, William J. Calpin, Sr.; a sister, Eleanor and husband John “Bosh” Bosha; four brothers: John E. “Jack” Regan and wife Margaret; Donald J. “DJ” Regan; Frank M. Regan, Jr. and wife Mary McGee Regan; and Neil W. Regan, Sr. and wife Barbara, and infant brother Martin Regan; sister-in-law Patricia McGee Regan; nephews Donnie and Sean Regan; and a niece, Barbara Regan Chillemi.

Anne Marie’s family wishes to express its gratitude to Drs. Wayne Weston, Kevin Colleran, James Haggerty and their staffs, as well as the staffs of Allied Services Terrace and Hospice of the Sacred Heart for the extraordinary care she received.

Viewings will be Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Neil W. Regan Funeral Home, Inc., 1900 Pittston Ave. and on Monday from 8:30 to 9:15 a.m. prior to mass at the Cathedral of St. Peter, 312 Wyoming Ave. Mass of Christian Burial will begin promptly at 9:30 a.m. Interment, Cathedral Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of the Sacred Heart, at www.hospicesacredheart.org

Anne Marie E. Regan

February 25, 2026