Mary Clare was born May 1, 2004, first child of Matt and Stephanie Regitz . She was the light of their lives. They literally did everything together with their "Little Punkin". Mary Clare was a delightful child. Her parents loved to teach her about life and the great world around her. She began communicating around 10 months when she picked up baby signs. Some of her first signs were " please ", "Jesus ", " Sydney "(her dog), "milk," and "fan." Slowly, she transferred this knowledge to language which began last fall. Her mom and dad loved taking her to new places like Corpus Christi (to see Guinnie and Pappy), the Oil Ranch, the Children's Museum, Texas A&M, Fort Lauderdale, Circle Lake , the Zoo and any park with a playground. Some of Mary Clare's favorite places to visit daily or weekly were the park in Lakewood Grove with the ducks (in the neighborhood), Church (especially the nursery where she could see her "friends! YEAH!"), Meemaw and GeeDad's house, her "cousins--Kiyool (Kyle), Abbie, Hannah, and Rachel," her best bud Zack's house (where she could see Oyivia (Olivia and Nafan (Nathan)), the play area at the Mall, and either her front or back yard. She loved to be outside and she loved to run. She was a girl through and through. She took to a purse by 9 months. For Christmas she received a kitchen and tea set that she played with nearly every day, setting up for a party in her living room. She loved to listen to books and if you had a book and open lap she would invite herself to sit with you for a read or two or three. Mary Clare also loved music and loved to dance. Growing up around her uncle David, who is a musician, she was always ready to be serenaded. She was particularly fond of David Crowder (a Christian artist) that she heard often with the teens at church. She would bounce, turn around and around, or wiggle to the music before making herself comfortable on the bench by the drums. She was a creature of habit and designated her unique security item at the age of 4 months. She would take her socks off while in the car and use them to cuddle while sucking her thumb. Her sock was her most sacred of items that she had with her at all times. Mary Clare became a big sister on April 4,2006 with the arrival of her brother "Afan" (Athan). She loved her brother at first sight and climbed up fearlessly on the hospital bed with her mom and dad to shower him with hugs and kisses. She enjoyed showing him how to be a "big kid" and also wanted to get to do what he did laying on the floor gym, swinging in the swing, and even tried to give nursing another try (which mom declined). Bed time was a sacred ritual. Mary Clare would have a bath and spend some time playing while Athan watched from the bouncy chair. Then she would get dried off before running to her bedroom giggling in her birthday suit. She would find her sock and lie down to get a fresh diaper and pajamas. She would then select a book from her collection for mom, dad, or both parents to read. Her favorite books included; Fancy Nancy, Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Five Little Monkeys, Noah's Ark, One Wooley Wombat, The Little Engine that Could, The Purple Hat, Chicka, Chicka, Boom Boom, and The Itsy Bitsy Spider. When it was time to read a story she made sure that anyone present was included and had to join her on her "big girl bed." Before the book concluded she had already requested "gin, gin" (again). She would then assist in turning off the lights while giving kisses to Mom, Dad, Athan (or other lucky family member/friend). Mary Clare would then listen to the prayers: "Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord is with thee, blessed are thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus, Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death, Amen. Protect us Lord as we stay awake, watch over us as we sleep, that awake we might keep watch with Christ, and asleep rest in His peace. God Bless Mommy, Daddy, Mary Clare, Athan and all our family and friends." She would then say good night to Jesus and hear her parents tell her "I love you Mary Clare". She would respond with "Love you Daddy, Love you Mommy" with her thumb in mouth and sock in hand. One tragic morning, June 20, 2006, Mary Clare, barely two years old, did not wake up from her night's sleep. Paramedics were unable to revive her, having tried tirelessly for an hour. Those of us left behind know that Mary Clare is now with her Lord among all the saints and angels. She finds ways to give us blessings of peace and hope each day through her brother, strangers, and signs in nature that give us glimpses of the heaven she now calls home. The story of Saint Mary Clare is only beginning.

The Spirit of Mary Clare Regitz
by Al Regitz

Don't think of me now with eyes full of tears,
For my spirit is alive and well,
The love that you taught me in two short years,
I am ready now to show and tell. 

Think of me when the warm winds blow,

In early evenings each Fall,

Then all the troubles of the day will show,

Not to be troubles at all.

 

When you pause in the middle of the day,

Or you whisper your prayers in the night,

Remember that God is with me to stay,

And now everything is all right.

 

My body was laid to rest with great care,

But I really want you to see,

Don't weep for me, for I'm not there,

My spirit is alive and free.