Regina Varrero

BIOGRAPHY

Regina Varrero was born in Metz Township, Michigan, USA, on 28 September 1909, to parents Jacob Kowalski (1888–1922) and Regina Jakuba (1892–1913). She was of Polish descent. She lost her mother to tuberculosis when she was 4, and her father when she was 12. She spent years being moved between relatives before, at the age of 13, she lied about her age to secure a job at a hotel. Later, she was taken in by a family of priests and nuns in Bay City, where she helped care for her younger brother. She remained with them until she was about 16 years old.

In 1928, she married David Fagan (1907–1981). The couple had three children: Judith Marilyn Deering, Rodney Fagan, and Sandra Jahner. They got divorced in the early 1940s, and she raised their children almost entirely on her own. She retired at 65 from Hudson’s, a well-known retail department store, but felt the need to stay active. She began working at her son’s basket shop and finally retired for good at the age of 85.

Varrero adopted a vegetarian lifestyle around the age of 75, staying active by walking regularly and engaging in daily physical exercise. Every morning, she would pedal on her stationary bike while watching Good Morning America. As she neared 100, she remained active with her hobbies—sewing, crocheting gifts for her family, babysitting, and gardening. She continued driving until the age of 99, often chauffeuring her friends to medical appointments. When her driver’s license expired at 98, she successfully renewed it one final time. She lived independently until her 100th birthday.

Varrero was a devoted fan of the Detroit Tigers baseball team for many years. For her 108th birthday, her family took her to a game at Comerica Park against the Minnesota Twins. Even before, she would travel from Bay City, where she lived, to Detroit to watch the Tigers play.

When asked about the secret to her longevity, she simply credited “eating good food.” A devout Catholic, she also credited her longevity to the power of prayer.

Regina Varrero passed away in Farmington Hills, Michigan, USA, on 1 April 2020, at the age of 110 years, 186 days. She was survived by two of her children, nine grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and five great-great-grandchildren.

RECOGNITION

Her age was verified by Eli Logan, and validated by LongeviQuest on 8 May 2025.

ATTRIBUTION

* Regina Kowalski Fagan – Find A Grave

* “Tiger mania: 108-year-old celebrates with her favorite team” – Hometown Life, 3 October 2017

* “One of Michigan’s oldest residents turns 110 this weekend” – The Oakland Press, 24 September 2019

* “Michigan great-great grandmother Regina Varrero turns 110” – MLive.com, 2 October 2019

* Regina Varrero Obituary – Observer and Eccentric Newspapers

GALLERY

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