Regina M. Page
July 5, 1967 ~ August 19, 2015
South Portland - Gina Page passed away at home with family by her side on August 19th, 2015 as she tried to recover from a severe spinal cord injury that left her a quadriplegic on life support. She was born to the late John Dude Renna and Donna Wilkinson of So Portland in Portland Maine on July 5th, 1967. She married Daniel Page in South Portland on June 21st, 2003. Gina graduated from South Portland High and went on to attend UME Farmington and SMCC where she obtained a liberal arts degree. Gina gravitated toward people and her work history followed suit with the following jobs: Assistant Manager at Pizza Hut, Manager at Mariners Grille, Special Orders at the USCG Exchange, Customer Service Clerk and bookkeeper at Shaws MillCreek, and bartender at Evelyns Tavern and Griffin Club. The toll of everyday challenges led to retire with disabilities from Shaws. Gina was born with severe scoliosis. She spent a year of her childhood embraced in a body cast at Boston Childrens Hospital as they worked on straightening her spine by implanting titanium rods. One day members of the Red Sox showed up in her hospital room and she instantly became a lifelong die-hard Red Sox fan. Its worth noting that her father, husband, and step-father embrace the Yankees. When football season comes around, Gina is all Cowboys. She never came right out and said it, but I suspect she once had a crush on Troy Aikman which would explain her devotion to the team. When Gina was young she spent her idle time at the South Portland Boys and Girls Club where she picked up the art of pool. Her small stature gave her an advantage when it came to making sure and clean shots. Her spinal abnormality didnt stop her from engaging in strenuous sports. Her resilience drove her to compete with the others and Im told she often scampered around or beneath the opposing players in basketball games. In baseball games she was a tough out because of her short strike zone and had the knack for laying down a bunt. Gina loved campfires, Miller Lites and card games. She was frequently the first to call for the cribbage board and deck of cards for a one-on-on best of three with a friend. She collected her coins in buckets for poker at the monthly girls night poker parties. She nearly always returned with more coins then she left with. Ginas friends ran the gamut from bad-ass bikers to doctors. She befriended everyone with the simply awesome gift of a smile. When she ran the customer service desk at Shaws she bounded up the stool with a bounce in her step keeping that smile intact despite the pain it caused to her body. When she tended bar your drink was forever full until either you or her stopped the tap. Besides her husband, mother and step-father Greg of South Portland Maine, she is survived by her best friend and sister, Tammy Tardy and her partner Jeremy Wherren of Ocala, Florida, her nephew Steven Tardy also of Ocala and his daughter Madeline, her niece Ashley Tardy and her fiance Kyle Watts, their children Riley and Bentley all of Port Richey, Florida and an estranged half-brother Robert Renna. Finally, thanks are in order for the tender care administered to her during her 10 month ordeal. First to the nurses CNAs and physicians in the SCU and ACU departments at MMC. They trained me in the most important parts of their job so I could bring her home and care for her safely. Most prominently of these was Sonja Orff who took Gina under her wing and kept in oftentimes daily contact with me answering my questions and concerns and sometimes giving me a shoulder to lean on. Second, to all the caregivers who took time out of their daily life to give me some respite so I could recharge my batteries. To Cindy, Kathy, Kelly, Melinda, Mo, Annette, Missy and Deb. I couldnt have managed without your help. Thirdly, to VNA of South Portland for assistance in wound care. Visiting hours will be held from 2-7pm on Sunday at Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel, 1024 Broadway, South Portland. Prayers will be recited at the funeral home on Monday at 9:15am followed by a 10am Mass of Christian Burial at Holy Cross Church, 124 Cottage Rd., South Portland. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, Broadway, South Portland. To view Ginas memorial page or to share an online condolence, please visit www.ctcrawford.com In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
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Gina,You will be missed everyday by all who knew you.The Sky Now Has One Brighter Star.
– Sara Cook
No question she was tough to get around on the basketball court… But so easy to be around any other time… RIP Gina
– ~a basketball opponent from WAY back…
Gina you were a true friend, keep an eye on everyone, We will miss you
– Scott Bumpus
Gina, you were loved by so many. So glad we could be friends with you. We are so sad that you are gone but very happy that your fight is over. We will remember your amazing spirit forever. love you girl.
– Peggy and Herb
Gina, you will be missed by many. You are a remarkable woman/ person. Every time I saw you you always had a smile and made everyone laugh. Thank you for walking threw my life and and showing me that the best things are in small packages.
– Cheryle Beaver Guiod
Gina we will miss you, the wonderful times, miss all the hugs. the great smile, the friendship. you will always be in our hearts ,we love you.
– Phil and Karen Valeriani
Gina will be in everyone’s hearts and I can see her singing with the angels. Gina was so loved by all who met her and will be forever remembered for her love of life and friends and family.
– Beverly g. Smith
Our sincere condolences on the loss of your precious daughter.
– Jack & Sally Nadon
Gina was a student of mine in Oral Communications at SMCC several years ago. I always remember her smile and how she stood beside the podium, laughing, since she was too short to stand behind it! The students and I both enjoyed having her in the class.
– Vicki Sullivan
Fly High Gina. Peace and love to your family and many friends.
– Dawn
I have many fond memories of Gina throughout the years. She always had a smile for everyone. – She was such a big spirit in a small body. My sympathies and prayers are with her Family and loved ones.
– Catherine Carland-Lewis
Danny ,sorry to hear of your loss I know she was very special in your life and will be missed by all. I know will guide her to him and care for her.
– Suzanne Radomski
To the very large family and friends of beautiful Gina,It is hard to grasp the reason why the Good Lord does what He does but we all know He has a plan for us from the day we are born until He calls us home. He has taken so many from our families and they all wait at the gate for the new arrivals. Gina is going home to so many she loved, and though losing her has broken our hearts, we should have a sense of joy that she will be reunited with her loved ones and will be standing at the gates waiting for us. We should all take a page from her life and remember how strong she was, how fun she could be, her kindness, her huge heart, so much more. She will be missed and thought of often. She would want us to remember her with smiles and laughter, not tears. She will not be far away. She will be the brightest star you gaze at on a starry night. Rest in peace, dear Gina. We love you today, tomorrow and always……
– Susan Swiger_johnston
I have sat here each day since I heard the news of your passing, trying my hardest to believe it was true! I keep saying “no sa” it’s just not true! Not beana! Not the strongest most loving caring always smiling woman I loved and adore!! This just isn’t true! But then I realized that it was! I realized my life as well as everyone elses lives were never ever going to be the same. You filled such a spot in everyone’s heart with your most loving love. Your smiles always made anything better! Your strength courage and wisdom.. always had the WOW factor! You were by far an amazing woman who I as well as everyone else will miss dearly! I know your probably dancing with honey, hanging with dude and raising the roof right now with Grammy beana… I am at peace knowing you have no more pain and are free to fly, run, jump….anything your beautiful heart desires! I know one day I will see you again.. when I get there I can be your show and tell again beana!! RIP beautiful.. until we meet again.. I love you!
– chrystie… aka as Gina always called me crit
Gina you had so much goodness bundled in that 4’6″ frame of yours. We have had so many good laughs threw out the years. I will never forget your smiling face, your contagious laugh,and your silly antics. I am sure you are up there with your beautiful angel wings running around with Dude. See you soon my friend.
– Jeannie Keating
Though we never spoke, Gina an inspiration to me growing up as kids. Gina you are among the angels and in the presence of God. May always shine in our hearts and though you maybe in heaven watching over you close friends and family. Know this dear sweet angel Gina, whenever I see a butterfly I know it will be you in the spirit form in butterflies. May you soar in heaven and dwell in the house of God. My prayers to Gina’s family and friends at this sorrowful time.
– Theresa M. Bodman aka Terry
RIP Gina, You will be missed by ALL people you came in touch with… Your Smile Infected all our souls <3, Thank You.............. Always in our Hearts, Never to be Forgotten <3 <3
- Michelle A. Kirk & Billy Kirk sr.
I am very sorry for your loss. May you find comfort in the promise God gives us for the future, that He will soon end all reasons for distress, even sickness and death. (Revelation 21:4) Won’t that be wonderful to see that time come! If you would like to learn more about this beautiful hope, feel free to visit jw.org.
– Emily
I am so sorry to hear of Gina’s passing. She always brightened a room with her infectious smile and her grin always made me wonder what she had just gotten away with! You will be missed Gina, the world was brighter with you in it.
– Chris Leddy
Gina, I cannot believe this is truly happening. We had so many great times together, camping, playing cards, pool, LOTS of girl nights. I will never forget the times we spent together. You will forever be in my heart, you were an amazing person. Anywhere we went, could be NH or MA, someone would yell out “hey Gina”. It was always an adventure with you, it was a privilege to be part of your life. RIP my sweet Gina…Until we meet again my friend. Cheryl….Luv you
– Cheryl Bernard Sikora
The world has lost a gift and a friend.
– Angie Foster
You had so much, light, love & laughter. Your smile was contagious. You will be missed.
– Maxine & John Beck
Love you Gina Page, always have, always will I hope the Angels realize what they have
– Sheila Fowler
Dan,Sorry doesn’t seem to be quite enough to say how I feel. Gina was a great person and I have such wonderful memories. Whether we were hanging out, singing karaoke at Evelyn’s or playing on pool leagues together, she was an amazing person to be around. I know she was grateful to have Cindy, Kathy and Mo as part of her home care team, those three were genuine friends are truly loved Gina. Dan, all my life you have been like family so please know I am here if you need to talk. When I came home in May, Mo & I had planned a visit but unfortunately Gina had taken a turn for the worse and went back into the hospital. I didn’t feel it was place to intrude at the time, now I live with that regret of not seeing my friend. Who knows, maybe her and Gary are sharing a beer and catching up. It makes me smile to think of that. All my love, Carol
– Carol (Brimecome) DiFrancesco
Thinking of you Donna my heart gose out to you sending prayers and hugs
– Anna Bean
The obituary reflects nicely what a wonderful person Gina was and how much joy she brought to everyone. I know the family and friends have many wonderful memories that will help them to carry on as Gina would expect …until you meet again.
– Martha