Regina Socci DeLucia, 95, of Rutherford passed away Monday, March 21, 2022 at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born at Passaic General Hospital to Ernest and Rose Socci (nee Bosco). A 1944 graduate of Rutherford High School, Regina later earned a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education from Paterson State College and a Master's in Education with a concentration in reading instruction from Montclair State College.
Regina was a true lifelong Rutherfordian. As a young woman, she co-owned along with her mother Rose’s Beauty Shop on Glen Road. A respected educator, she went on to teach kindergarten and fifth grade at Sylvan and Pierrepont schools before becoming a reading specialist who helped scores of students learn to read. As a Fulbright Scholar, Regina was on a team of American educators who toured rural and urban schools in China for a month in 1993 to assess their reading instruction programs.
The accomplishments in her field didn't end there. Regina was a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma Society International Honor Society for Education (serving as president in 1990) and was proudly named the Governor's “Teacher of the Year” in the 90s. In her spare time, she served on the Board of Esthetic Review under Mayor Barbara Chadwick, volunteered at the Rutherford Food Bank, was active in the Bergen County Retired Educators Association, and was an adult literacy volunteer. Regina’s family was her life and her biggest pride; she leaves so many wonderful memories.
Regina is predeceased by her husband D. Richard (1982), her siblings; Gloria Lalumia, Ernest and Vincent Socci. She will be deeply missed by her devoted children; Vincent DeLucia and wife Joan, Regina Sarti and husband Edward, grandchildren; Gregory DeLucia and wife Alyson, Domenick Richard “Rick” DeLucia and wife Christina, Evan Sarti and wife Kristina, Lauren Sarti Simone and husband Daniel, Andrew Sarti and wife Elisa, great-grandchildren; Domenick Richard, III, Giavanna, Isabella, Serena, Dean, and Cora.
Family will receive friends Thursday 2:00 to 5:00pm in the Calhoun-Mania Funeral Home, 19 Lincoln Ave., Rutherford.
An additional viewing will be held Friday, 9:30am followed by a 10:30am funeral mass of Christian liturgy in the Church of Saint Mary, Rutherford, and interment at Hillside Cemetery, Lyndhurst.
To honor Regina’s memory, donations may be made to: The Dyslexia Association or Rutherford Food Bank.