Regina Emilie Harrison Benepe began her unplanned and new adventure on Saturday, July 10, 2021 following a tragic ATV rollover accident while at work, leaving her family, her friends and the community in shock and disbelief.
Gina was born December 3, 1952 in Tooele, Utah, to Lawrence and Betty Harrison. After several moves they settled in Alderwood Manor, Washington. Gina graduated from Mountlake Terrace High School and attended Edmonds Community College. Gina’s mother immigrated from Ireland to marry her father. When Gina was only ten years old, her father passed away in a plane accident while working in the US Air Force. She became a strong support for her mother and family.
Gina was an adventurous soul and spent much of her life on the water in the Caribbean and the San Juan Islands where she raised her two beautiful daughters. Gina’s Irish heritage inspired her leprechaun spirit. She took two memorable trips to Ireland with her daughters and friends. Gina embodied qualities which we aspire to ourselves.
She was exceptionally loving, accepting, compassionate, and kind. She was a loyal friend. Her home had an open door for anyone needing comfort and counsel, laughter and cheer. She was smart, hardworking, funny, loved music, dancing, sailing, laughing, gardening and especially loved taking care of the beautiful estate she curated for nearly three decades. Her greatest joy was being a mom and the birth of her grandson, Xander Finn.
If we listen to her advice, which she gave out generously, we will be open to everyone without judgement, tell the truth without candy coating, “be our own dog” and live each day with music, love and wonder.
Gina will be missed by many, including her loving family and many young friends whom she mentored with love, positivity and acceptance. She leaves behind her two beautiful daughters MacKenzie and Noelle, her grandson Xander Finn, her dog Sailor, her sister Donna McGaw, former husband, Bryan Benepe, nieces and nephews, cousins and a sea of loved ones and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, mother and sister, Sandra Noble. We will all be forever blessed to have known and danced alongside Gina. One Love
