Sister Regina Davala, SND
(Formerly Sister Mary Glenda)
August 11, 1947 – May 12, 2025
Professed August 16, 1967
Besides the autobiography that Sister Regina wrote before entering the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1965, she composed a second account in 2021. Both narratives offer rich insights into her relationship with God, family, community, and ministry. Regina Ann Davala was born in Canton, Ohio on August 11, 1947, to Nicholas and Martha Ferrell Davala. A few months later, they moved to a home on the outskirts of Massillon, with an acre of land for a yard and a large garden. Regina became the big sister to five brothers and three sisters, describing her childhood as filled with “lots of love and laughter.” The strong faith of both parents brought the family together to pray the nightly rosary; Advent and Lent were celebrated with special prayers and customs. Mr. Davala drove a truck for Sohio, and worked extra jobs to provide for the family. Mrs. Davala was an excellent homemaker; she taught Regina the art of baking, cooking, and canning fruits and vegetables. “My parents loved us and disciplined us, Regina said. “ We learned to be respectful and to care about others.”
Returning home from her first day of school at St. Mary’s in Massillon, Regina informed her mother that she wanted to be a Sister, just like her first-grade teacher, Sister Mary Claudia. As a fourth-grader, she wrote an essay about becoming a Sister, a doctor, and a missionary. Throughout elementary school, Regina requested information from many religious communities. A good student and hard worker, Regina was extremely shy. She attended Canton Central Catholic for two years; she found friendships in new interests and activities as she played volleyball, sang in the glee club, and attended football games and dances.
Still drawn to religious life, Regina transferred to Notre Dame Academy as an Aspirant in 1963, with the support of her parents. The school had just relocated to Chardon from Cleveland. The transition was difficult since Regina did not know anyone, and she greatly missed her family. But God’s grace was at work in her. The following year, on February 2, 1965, she became a postulant. That summer, Regina became a novice, receiving the name Sister Mary Glenda.
After three years of study at Notre Dame College in South Euclid, Ohio, she was assigned to teach fifth grade at St. Francis of Assisi School in Gates Mills in September 1969. Teaching seemed to come naturally to her, and she enjoyed interacting with the staff members to plan mission drives, parent programs, and science fairs. Her religion classes were prepared with special care. She invited the students to establish a relationship with God as they grew in knowledge, love, and service. New Year’s Day of 1973 brought a surprise announcement: the very next day, she would become the eighth-grade teacher. She had to prepare lessons for a substitute for her fifth graders, and get materials ready for her new class. She did student teaching in her own classroom that semester, graduating from Notre Dame College with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education.
At Holy Trinity School in Avon, she taught grades 6, 7 and 8. The school instituted an ungraded math and reading program for grades 4 through 8. She organized school music programs and led the Children’s Choir in church. The country experienced a gasoline shortage during this time. The parish school had to move to the public school for classes, since the Catholic schools had been put into a consortium; there was no fuel for buses or heat for buildings. Sister Regina praised the Avon school superintendent who was very accommodating to their needs. While in Avon, Sister Regina was introduced to the charismatic renewal by a sister who became a close friend. “I learned about openness to the Spirit, about praying with others, and listening to the voice of God within,” she said. “My life and my teaching of religion were never the same!”
She began studies at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (VPI) with professors traveling to McLean, Virginia, and the fourth summer on campus in Blacksburg. Sister Regina earned a Master of Education degree in Reading and Language Arts.
Her ministry at St. Michael School meant moving from the country to Cleveland’s west side in 1979. The neighborhood was poor, and its population quite diverse. “My students were largely Hispanic, but also Anglo, Asian, native American, and Arabic. It was beautiful!” she said. “We organized a cultural festival so families could share their rich traditions.” She taught math and religion in grades 5 through 8, developed a Confirmation program for the parish, and was the principal of the Parish School of Religion. With youth group leaders and teens from St. Margaret Mary Parish in South Euclid, she established a renewal group at St. Michael’s. High school students gathered monthly for “Saturday Night Alive!” sharing music, scripture, and witness talks.
In 1982, Sister Regina was named principal at St. Michael’s. She established an all-day kindergarten, increasing language experience for the children—a great benefit to those for whom English was a second language. In 1986, while Sister Regina was sharing coffee and conversation with Sister Virginia Reesing from St. Boniface and Sister Grace Corbett from St. Stephen’s, a dream was born: to merge the three schools to create future stability for Catholic education and increased programs for the children and their families. Over two years, hours of planning, and more than 200 meetings, Metro Catholic School became a reality. Dubbed “the Miracle on 54th Street,” the school was named a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence and was recognized as a National Green Ribbon school. Today, it continues to “blend learning with faith, and faith with life.”
Facing some health challenges, Sister Regina took a year to rest and to discern a new ministry. She earned a master’s degree in counseling from John Carroll University, Cleveland, and passed the state licensure exam. She enjoyed the work at Catholic Counseling. From 1993-1999, she served on the province leadership team as regional superior for sisters in Cleveland’s inner city, Lorain County, Florida, and North Carolina. She considered it a privilege to listen to the sisters share their history, spiritual journeys, joys and challenges.
In the year 2000, Sister Regina’s ministry as administrative assistant to Sr. Jacquelyn Gusdane placed her on a new path, the newly formed Associate relationship. Beginning in 2001 with 30 women in the Chardon region, the men and women who are Associates in our USA province today number about 500. Sister Regina was a co-director for 6 years, ministered as the director for 3 years, and spent the past 2 years as administrative assistant. “She knows each one of us,” one of the first Associates said. “Not just our names—but from the beginning, there has been a personal relationship.” Sister Regina cherished their presence in her life as a blessing, to learn from them and to see their deep faith, even in very difficult life situations. After 25 years, Sister Regina had just announced her retirement. Sister Regina had prepared her office for the new assistant. True to form, her personal belongings were neatly arranged on a cart to take to her room in Assisted Living. “I’m good to go!” she commented to a friend. But God had a plan that transcended any clock or calendar.
On May 7, Sister Regina’s faith sharing group, nine sisters in all, had met for their last session of the year. As was their custom, each sister selected an envelope containing a card which they read aloud, as God’s message to her for the coming month. Last week, that card became Sister Regina’s message to each of us. It is a quote from Sister Thea Bowman, a Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration:
“Maybe I’m not making any big changes in the world, but if I have somehow helped or encouraged somebody along the journey, then I’ve done what I’m called to do.”
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025, at the Sisters of Notre Dame Center, 13000 Auburn Road, Chardon, OH. Visitation will be from 9:30 until Mass begins. It will be live-streamed here.
To make a donation in memory of Sister Regina, please click here.
