Eleanore Radzilowski Rega Bentley Obituary

Eleanore Radzilowski Rega Bentley passed away peacefully while surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, November 14, 2021. She was 92 years young.

Eleanore was born in Everson, PA, on April 19, 1929, to Zygmunt Radzilowski and Louise Zajac Radzilowski. She attended St. Joseph School in Everson and graduated from Scottdale High School in 1947.

A diligent and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, Eleanore was known for her generous spirit that centered on her family and her Catholic faith. She was undaunted by challenges and exuded determination and endurance, especially when it came to her care for humankind. Eleanore saw and loved others for who they were. She always had an open heart for the most vulnerable, embracing them like family.

She is remembered as a woman who lived on her own terms. After her husband Richard passed away in 1981, she was the proprietor of Rega's Shoe Repair (originally Rega's Shoe Hospital) for nearly two decades. The "shoe shop" – as it was known to locals who gathered there – was a mainstay in Mt. Pleasant on South Church Street for 47 years.

Eleanore led a creative life with many interests, which continued well into her retirement. She loved ballroom dancing, was gifted in needlecrafts, and took pride in decorating her home to be a warm and welcoming place for all who visited. Her family fondly remembers how she preserved her own Polish heritage with her husband's Italian traditions over beautifully cooked holiday meals. She was a current member of St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant, and a former member of St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Society, the Assunta Club Ladies Auxilliary, and Everson and Bullskin Township Senior Centers. Eleanore was also affectionately known by her family as a "fashionista" who enjoyed the finer things in life and never lost her flair. There is a little less sparkle in the world without her.

In addition to her parents, Eleanore was preceded in death by her first husband, Richard A. Rega in 1981 and her second husband, Sherman Bentley in 2005; sisters, Genevieve Mazurik and Alice Capo; brothers, Eugene Radzilowski, Thaddeus Radzilowski, Sigismund Radzilowski, and several in infancy. Her family takes comfort in knowing their beloved matriarch has reunited with them.

Eleanore is survived and missed by her family, including her children Kathleen Kappel (William) of Pittsburgh, Richard Rega II (Elizabeth) of Mt. Pleasant, Melanie Pakulski (Richard) of Mt. Pleasant, and Celeste Rega of Ithaca, New York; grandchildren Angela Lucas (Joe), Mark Nemeth (Jennifer), Alex Rega (Amy), James DePalma (Mary), and Megan Kappel; great-grandchildren Allison, Natalie, Asher, Joseph, Olivia, Mina, Anthony, Archie, and Nyx; sister Loretta Capo of Connellsville, and brother Vincent Radzilowski of Cleveland, Ohio. She is also survived and missed by her devoted companion Allen Darr of Acme, 16 nieces and nephews, and 29 great-nieces and -nephews.

Visitation for family and friends will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8pm Friday at SALOOM-REGA FUNERAL SERVICE 730 W. MAIN STREET MT. PLEASANT where prayers of transfer will be held at 9:30am Saturday followed by a Mass of Christian burial at 10am at St. Pius X Roman Catholic Church, Mt. Pleasant. Interment will follow in the St. Pius X Cemetery. Please visit Eleanore's online memorial at www.saloom-rega.com to sign the condolence guestbook. Richard Rega, funeral director.