Sister Regina Fanning, IHM, age 93, died Wednesday, July 9, 2025, surrounded by her IHM family in Monroe. Sister Regina celebrated her 75th IHM Jubilee this year, a calling she remained grateful for throughout her life.
Nora Fanning was born to Mary Irene (Nolan) and Thomas Fanning in Chicago, Illinois on July 12, 1931. Their loving family of Irish heritage would include seven children. Nora attended St. Felicitas schools and graduated from Loretto Academy. In August 1949, she entered the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Monroe and received the religious name Sister Regina Irene.
Sister Regina loved the teaching ministry of elementary students, her favorite student group. After education at Marygrove College and teacher training in Michigan, her early ministry years were at Our Lady of Help and Holy Trinity, Detroit, Queen of Hope, Redford and St. John, Benton Harbor. In 1966, she was missioned to return to Chicago. She spent the next thirty-plus years there in Catholic education and touched the lives of many students and the youngsters of those students. Her impact was felt at St. Felicitas and St. Rene (in Chicago). Her circle of influence extended to the suburbs of Hillsdale, at St. Domitilla School, and Maywood, at St. Eulalia School.
In early 2000 while residing at Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent in Westchester, Sister Regina cared for her widowed mother who stayed at the Convent until her death (2004). When not in formal education, Sister Regina volunteered at Epiphany School (in Little Village neighborhood) and as a caregiver while residing in Oak Lawn. Throughout the years in Chicagoland, Sister Regina collected lifelong friends from the schools and parishes and stayed close with her siblings and growing families.
In 2010, Sr. Regina made the decision to move to the Motherhouse after her retirement from education. Not one of idle hands, Sister quickly learned the lay of the land, renewed and gained friendships, and busied herself as a driver, shopping purveyor, caregiver, and as a volunteer for the in-house mail/communications team. Only recently did she part from the daily mail task when her health advised a move to assisted living. She did everything with a characteristic twinkle in her eye and kindness, an inspiration to the many who knew her.
Sister Regina is survived by her siblings and families: Thomas Fanning, Mary Hacaga, Regina Henneman, Helen Repke, and Kathy Walsh; Cousin Jenni, many friends and her IHM Sisters in community. Her parents and sister, Rita I. (Fanning) Monan, preceded her.
Services will be held at the IHM Motherhouse Chapel, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, Thursday, July17, 2025. Welcoming of the body begins at 9 a.m., followed by a Remembering and Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. Streaming begins at 10 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Mary Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rupp Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the IHM Retirement Fund, 610 W. Elm Avenue, Monroe, MI 48162-7909.