Mary R. 'Reggie' Frey

Mary Regina Rowland was born in 1926 in Boulder, Colorado to Mamie Eakins and Edward Rowland. Reggie, as she was always called, moved to Denver shortly after she was born for her father's position with the Public Service Company. She was raised in the Saint Francis de Sales area near many relatives on the Eakins side of the family. Many of her cousins were like sisters and brothers to her. In the 1930's a new neighborhood was being developed, and at least five of the relatives purchased homes in this new area, referred to as Washington Park. Reggie often rode horses at the polo grounds located across the street, and a favorite stop was to ride horses to the Denehay's Drug Store for a soda. Reggie attended Loretto Heights College for one year, taking the trolley and bus to classes. For her sophomore year, she transferred to the much closer University of Denver where she pledged Kappa Delta Sorority. She earned a degree in education, which she would use for 30 years teaching first graders. During the war, Reggie would donate her time at Fitzsimons Hospital and often attended dances at the Lowry Officer's Club to dance with the soldiers. It was there that she met her husband-to-be, handsome Gene Frey. When he returned from Japan, they were married in the winter of 1948 on December 27 at the Park Lane Hotel, just north of Washington Park. Gene and Reggie started their family when they were living in the lower level of Reggie's parent's home. Their first son Fred was born in Denver. The Freys than began following Gene's career with General Electric as they moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, Fort Wayne, Indiana and to Rockford, Illinois, where their second son Chuck was born. The next move to Wheaton, Illinois is where they raised their sons. With every move, Reggie would find work as an elementary teacher; and after retirement, they chose to move back to their favorite state of Colorado to be close to their grandchildren Cristin, Ryan and Lauren. In their retirement years, Gene and Reggie kept entertained with their involvement with the Saint Patrick's Day Parade Committee and traveling through Colorado, often stopping in Grand Lake to fish or Glenwood Springs to sit in the hot springs. They never missed a Frontier Days Rodeo and would escape down to Puerto Vallarta for a winter get-away. Reggie was a caring teacher, loving wife and mother and dog lover. She loved any fun gathering, especially if there was a piano playing. Her natural beauty was only surpassed by her sweet nature. She will be missed, but the world is a better place because she loved life so much. Reggie is preceded in death by her husband Gene Frey. She is survived by her sons Frederick Frey, Jr. of Centennial and Charles Frey of Manor, Texas; grandchildren Cristin Frey, Ryan Frey and Lauren Frey. A Visitation will be held from 5:00pm-7:00pm, Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at Horan & McConaty Family Chapel, 5303 East County Line Road (one block to the west of Holly Street), in Centennial, Colorado. A Graveside Service will be held at 11:00am, Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, 12801 West 44th Avenue, in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. Please share your memories of Reggie and condolences with her family by signing the guestbook.