Deborah Regiani

Deborah (Debby) Regiani passed away on Tuesday, January 14th 2025 into the loving arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ surrounded by her family. She was born on February 22nd, 1952 to parents William and Mary (DeMare) Regiani in Detroit, who predeceased her. She was the oldest of five siblings. They lived in Detroit, moving to a home in Waterford her father built on weekends when she was seven years old. There she learned to love the water, nature, softball in the back yard, family gatherings at the lake each weekend, swimming, sailing, and being one lucky kid. She went to Cooley Elementary School, Pierce Junior High School and graduated from Waterford-Kettering High School in 1970 with her besties Sally, Paula, Lynelle, and Alice. She entered Central Michigan University studying to be a special education teacher, earning a BS in Education in teaching children with intellectual disabilities in 1974. She got her first teaching job at Dryden Community Schools and also continued her education by enrolling in night and summer classes at Oakland University, where she earned a MA in Education in Learning Disabilities in 1979. She had the opportunity to then teach in her home town of Waterford and continued her career at Crary Junior High School. It was a hard time in education and she was laid off, being the newest arrival. This gave her the opportunity to explore her quest for open water which took her to Traverse City, Michigan. She taught for the Traverse Bay Intermediate School District. Her classroom of self-contained Learning-Disabled students was her home for the next 5 years. When Traverse City Area Public schools took back their special education programming, it provided her with more teaching opportunities. She taught in seven schools, under fifteen principals, and nine superintendents. Debby retired from TCAPS after 45 years of teaching. This did not include the three years of part time work she was called back to do, that was until covid hit. While living in Traverse City, she joined the Coast Guard Sailing and Power Squad, earned her Coast Guard Captain’s license, took visitors out of East Grand Traverse Bay for a sailing adventure on Tateki, played recreational softball, coached and refed high school volleyball, and volunteered wherever she was needed. The best part of living in northern Michigan was meeting her husband Tom VanSipe on a blind date in 1991. They were married at Christ the King Catholic Parish in Acme by Father Thome in 1992. Together they had two beautiful gifts from God, Benjamin Lucas VanSipe (Aimee Barker) in 1996, Sarah Lynn VanSipe (Tim Taylor) in 1997. As a family they adopted their first dog, Magglio, in 2007 who then passed in 2024. In the same year, she received her beloved ‘grand dog’ Otis in 2024. Her children were the loves of her life. She followed them in their endeavors, provided a safe place for friends to gather in their home, followed them in their soccer careers, spent hours traveling, experiencing the wonders of Northern Michigan and life ‘downstate’ at Watkin’s Lake with her extended family. Debby was predeceased by father William Jr., mother Mary, father-in-law, Ron VanSipe, mother-in-law, Lucille VanSipe, and her brother Bill. She is survived by her four siblings, Sandy Regiani, Burt Regiani, Barb (Johnny) Deradoorian, and sister-in-law, Vickie Regiani. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews William, Nichole (Chris) Morhardt, Joe (Torri Veterre) Regiani, Rachel (Tristan Beaudoin) Deradoorian, Jacob (Sofia DiStefano) Deradoorian, Sophia, Vinny, Lainey Morhardt, Joey and Julianna Regiani. Debby is also survived by Tom’s siblings Vicki (Alan) Heikkila, Jeffrey VanSipe, Brian VanSipe and nieces and nephews Madison, Ron, and Naomi. She is also survived by her close friend, Ellen Rapson. Family, friends and gatherings together were very special to Debby. She claimed to be a Jack of All Trades, and a Master of none. She could put together a party or picnic at the drop of a hat, and the more that joined in, the merrier. Together with her family, they were parishioners of St. Francis of Assisi. She loved flowers and her flower garden, gatherings with friends and family, and was always ready for a party. So, Party On! The family would like to express thanks for the wonderful help and care provided by Munson Medical Center and Munson Hospice. If desired, friends may make memorial contributions to Safe Harbor of Grand Traverse at https://www.gtsafeharbor.org/donate/donate.html Family, friends, and others whose lives Debby touched are invited to St. Phillip Neri Church in Empire at 10am on Friday, May 30th 2025 for visitation and 11am for a funeral service. A luncheon will follow from 1pm-5pm at the Hagerty Center to reminisce, support each other and, of course, celebrate Debby’s life.

Deborah Regiani

February 22, 1952 - January 14, 2025