Regina Retynsky

Regina Retynsky, née Babski, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026 at JGS Nursing Home in Longmeadow, Massachusetts, at the age of 91.

Born in 1934 in Ukraine during a time of German occupation, Regina was the daughter of Tadeus Babski of Poland and Lydia, a young German woman, joined through an arranged marriage. The family endured the hardships of war, moving through more than a dozen German camps before arriving in the United States as displaced persons, sponsored by the Catholic Church. After landing in New York, they made their way to Holyoke to join her older brother and his family. In time, Regina met Ivan Retynsky at the Westfield Polish National Club, and the two were soon married. They settled first in Springfield, where they raised their son Victor and daughter Helen in a two-family home with Ivan’s parents. In 1964, they built a house in East Longmeadow, which became their permanent home.

Regina earned her high school equivalency diploma and an Associate’s degree, then served as manager of the East Longmeadow Nursing Home for twelve years before obtaining her real estate license and working with Popko Realtors. A passionate gardener, she was an active member of the East Longmeadow Garden Committee for more than twenty years, always generous in sharing plants and cuttings with visitors. Together with Ivan, she built a cottage on Goose Pond in Lee, Massachusetts, where the family and friends gathered for many joyful summers filled with swimming, boating, fishing, waterskiing, sailing, and shared meals.

Regina is survived by her son, Victor Retynsky of Wilbraham, her daughter, Helen R. Kamins of Manchester-by-the-Sea, and four grandchildren. She was predeceased by her husband, Ivan Retynsky, and her brothers, Edmund Babski and Zigmunt Babski.