Born to Ernest and Angeline (Missler) Ulrich, Susan Marie was the oldest of five children. She became acquainted with the Sisters of Notre Dame in her early school days at Ladyfield School and then again when she attended Notre Dame Academy. Susan entered the Sisters of Notre Dame in 1956 and was invested in 1957.
Sister ministered as a classroom teacher for 19 years in elementary schools in the Toledo Diocese before becoming an Art teacher at Lial Catholic School in Whitehouse, Ohio.
In 1987 Sister’s heart turned toward pastoral ministry for the next 22 years at Toledo parishes visiting the homebound and bringing them Holy Communion.
During this same time Sister began volunteer work of art enrichment for residents at hospitals and shelter houses, especially with women on the margins. Discovering their talents under Sister’s encouragement, these women let art bring peace into their lives and build up their self-esteem. In return, Sister Regeen felt how life-giving it was to her. She wrote, “No doubt, I am better able to understand the poor and their real needs and be Jesus’ loving presence to them.” She loved ministering to others and shared all she had. The poor were ever in her heart as she worked hard to find shelter, food, or companionship for them.
Art was Sister Mary Regeen’s joy and, for the rest of her life, became a means of expressing herself. “The ability to produce beautiful pieces is an extension of God’s beauty,” Sister Mary Regeen wrote. Sister Regeen used art to help others find themselves through crafts, watercolors, and photography. Her art work reflected her love of beauty in nature through flowers, birds, and her favorite hobby of fishing at Lake Lial.
After three months of needed skilled nursing care because of acute pain and illness, she who loved a splash of color and all things beautiful, slipped away to behold the Source of all beauty. May she be enfolded in the Beauty of the Creator.