Regina Brennan

Regina Brennan ObituaryPublished by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 17, 2026.Long time resident of Fernandina Beach and beloved nurse, Regina Brennan, passed away peacefully on March 15,2026 following a brief illness.Born to Edna (Colligan) and William Brennan, Regina's life was centered on the care of others. She dedicated herself wholeheartedly to nursing beginning as a young candy striper at a local hospital at the Jersey Shore where she was raised. Regina was a graduate of Saint Claire Nursing School, New York City, Seton Hall University (BSN) and University of Colorado (MSN).While living in Denver, Colorado Regina was a founder of the Flight for Life Colorado in, the nation's oldest civilian air medical transport service. Founded in 1972, the program provides critical care transport across the Rocky Mountain Region, operating as a "flying emergency room" or ICU. Regina took great pride in her team's care and valued the relationships she built with patients and colleagues. She stayed in close contact, welcomed visits, and traveled to Denver for the program's 50th Anniversary. Regina moved to Fernandina Beach in 1995, where she continued to practice nursing and worked for 30 years at Baptist Medical Center Nassau, where she was known as a mentor to others and for her dedication, competence and compassion. Upon retirement, Regina continued service to her community as a volunteer at Baptist Nassau, doing pet therapy with her lab, Maggie, and in various other roles.Regina was an avid sportswoman skilled at skiing and later an accomplished golfer, and longtime member of the Fernandina Women's Golf association and the Fernandina Golf Club where she served on the golf course Advisory Board.Regina is survived by her spouse, Robin Ritchey, her sisters Noel, Deirdre Bayne (Gresham), Melanie and Barbe Wappel (Mike) and her beloved nieces and nephew, Elizabeth, Gresham, Alexandra, Stephanie and Kristin and her grand nieces and nephews and her godson and his family, John Patrick (JP), Nina, Eve, Iggy, and Sylvia Goshco.Those who knew Regina will remember her as a strong, kind, fun-loving and very caring soul - a woman whose life was defined not by grand achievements, but by the quiet, consistent love she gave so freely to everyone around her. Contribution may be made to Community Hospice and Palliative Care of Northeast Florida.To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.