Nancy Carol Regan

Nancy Carol Regan, 85, of Uhrichsville went to her eternal resting place in heaven on Sunday, May 5, 2024, while under hospice care in Steubenville. 

Born in Elton, West Virginia, on September 21,1938, she was the first child of Clinton and Blanche (Coffman) Gwinn. Nancy moved to Ohio with her parents and four younger sisters, and the family settled in Uhrichsville. As a young lady, she attended Uhrichsville High School and worked at Miller's Restaurant. Nancy always dreamt of becoming an entertainer and would play “movie star” singing and playing the piano with her young sisters. She and her siblings went on to sing in many local churches as well as on the radio, and It was during a radio show, on Dover’s WJER, that a 15-year-old Nancy met another singer, Johnny Regan, and it was love at first sight. 

Johnny served in the U.S. Army, and, while the couple did not write to one another, when Johnny returned home, he went to see Nancy and they rekindled their friendship. They were married in January of 1960 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Dennison. Johnny and Nancy became part of a musical group performing for ten years. In 1975 they recorded their Nashville album, By Your Request, which featured the most-loved songs from their shows. Nancy formed her own band, Calico, in 1977, and Calico would become a popular attraction five nights a week at the Delphian Motor Inn. There were also performances at many clubs and events throughout Ohio and West Virginia. Nancy was the opening act for many stars throughout her life, including Marty Robbins, Mel Tillis, Barbara Mandrell, Randy Travis and Faron Young. In addition to fronting her band, she worked 20 years for NCR in Cambridge. Nancy was always happiest when she was busy, and later in life she became a caregiver to many. 

Music, performing and singing were her most favorite activities, but she also adored old movies,

cooking for her family, shopping, camping, boating and reading. Her two grandchildren were her world. Nancy’s greatest joy in the last seven years was to sing with her daughter and friends as a guest vocalist with Tequila Mary – she brought the house down and made many new friends. Some of her last words spoken in this life were, “I can’t wait to sing again.” 

She is survived by her only child and her singing partner for almost 50 years, Penny Allison (husband, Daniel)  of Dover; her granddaughter, Rachel Ripley (husband, Neal Phile), also of Dover; her grandson, Kirk Allison (fiancée, Elizabeth Clemence) of Bolivar; her sisters, Wanda Crall of Uhrichsville, Milda Still of Dayton, Elizabeth Lecce (husband, Fred) of Dover, and Betty Keener (husband, John) of Apple Creek;  her many nieces and nephews; and her special friends, Deb Zinn, Cheryll Stankiewicz, Tim and Patty Knisely, Julie Stephon, Phyl Mullet, Shelia Davis, Kari and Damian Staron and Zelda Patterson. 

Nancy wanted - more than anything, to see her granddaughter, Rachel receive her master’s degree this summer and attend the wedding of her grandson, Kirk this coming October; it was not to be, but she will be there in spirit.

In keeping with her wishes, there will be no ceremony; her family will hold an open house in celebration of her life on Saturday, May 18, 12 - 3 p.m., in the Toland-Herzig Monarch Center, 831 Boulevard St., Dover. Please come, visit with the family and share how Nancy may havetouched your life with her caring ways and beautiful voice.