- Date Of Birth: November 11, 1947
- Date Of Death: February 19, 2021
- State: Pennsylvania
Regina M. Harrell (Caputo), 73, of Prospect Park and formerly Southwest Philadelphia, passed away peacefully on February 19, 2021. She was the devoted wife of Daniel Harrell and loving mother of Leonora (Mike) Liciardello, Colleen (Stephen) Whelan, Deborah (Stephen) Cianci, Melissa (Anthony) Constantine, Jacquelyn Harrell (Robert Clark, deceased), and Erin (Frankie) Mirigliani. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren (Michael, Tara, Joseph, Gianna, Lindsey, Cecilia, Alaina, Stephen, Gabrielle, Carlo, Danny, Kaleigh, Santina, Amelia, Leah, Lucy, and Domenica) and her brother Francis Caputo, Jr. She was the daughter of the late Francis Caputo, Sr. and Rita (Cetrone) Caputo.Friday, February 19th was a dark, cold, and wintry day for most people but for the Harrell family it was a day filled with hope and love as their beloved wife, mother, and grandmother was relieved of all the pain and discomfort she was bearing for so many years. Her greatest love in life was her family and she fought for every extra minute she could spend with them on this earth. Although Regina spent her last years in Prospect Park, her heart and soul never left her beloved Southwest Philly where she was born and raised in Our Lady of Loreto Parish. She was a member of one of the first classes to graduate from the new Our Lady of Loreto Catholic School in 1961 and then proceeded to graduate from West Catholic Girls High School in 1965. Around that time, her family owned Cappy’s Steak Shop at 63rd and Grays Avenue. Despite the fact that the hoagie shop was always filled with good looking, well dressed, Italian guys from the neighborhood, it was a skinny Irish kid who was always carrying a basketball wearing Chucky T’s that caught her eye. The competition for this little Italian Queen appropriately named Regina was heavy but it was the Irishman who, much to the surprise of her mother, won her affections. Over 55 years of marriage, Jean and Dan raised six beautiful daughters in a small three-bedroom, one bath row home on 67th Street. She was an involved and devoted mother and grandmother and knew everyone’s schedules and what was going on in their lives. Although God did not bless her with sons, she loved her son-in-laws as if they were her own. While always supporting Dan in his CYO, Mummers, and AOH activities, she also found the time to coach the Our Lady of Loreto Cheerleaders. She became the second mom to many young people in the neighborhood and with her own participation along with her undying support of Dan’s activities, they affected the lives of many young people in Southwest Philly.Aside from being a homemaker, she worked several jobs in which she was always highly regarded as a respected and loved employee for the work ethic and passion she brought to all she always lived life to the fullest and had many passions in life. She especially loved vacations with her family to Sea Isle City, New Jersey and Disney World in Orlando, Florida. She loved to sing and dance. She never missed a moment of the Mummer’s parade and was known to do a good Mummer’s Strut herself. She was always up for meeting with her girls for lunch or heading down to Delaware Park to bet the horses. She loved the holidays and making sure she added a personal touch to the gifts she had for each of her children and grandchildren. She was an avid sports fan and followed all the Philly teams and the teams coached and played on by her family members. Jean was proud of her Italian and (honorary) Irish heritage. She was a spectacular cook, loved speaking Italian with her parents and grandparents, always dressed to impress, and never met a stranger.Regina will mostly be remembered for strength, compassion, and a fierce protection of her family. She was always caring, generous, and was a fighter until the end. Our little, Italian, warrior angel will live on in our hearts and minds forever. We will miss her dearly.
