Regina Rose Defauw

Regina Rose Lyons Defauw, 86, of Navasota, Texas, formerly of Hurst, Texas, passed away on December 20, 2021. Regina, loving known as Jean by her family and friends, was born to her parents Theodore Lyons and Kathryn Lyons on October 26, 1935, in Kansas City, Kansas. Jean grew up with beloved sister Mary Kathryn Lyons McMaster, who preceded her in death.

Jean graduated from Bishop Ward High School in Kansas City in 1953 and moved to Texas shortly thereafter. She was a loving and devoted mother to her two children, Leanne Petersen Southerland and Tim Petersen, born during her first marriage to Ronald Petersen, and was blessed with grandchildren and great grandchildren that she loved dearly.

Starting her career in Texas as a secretary for a shipping firm, Jean furthered her education with an associate degree in Business from Tarrant County College. With her degree, she enjoyed a long career as an administrative secretary at Bell Helicopter where she worked until her retirement after more than 20 years.

Jean married Marvin Defauw on June 17, 1989, at Saint John the Apostle Catholic Church in North Richland Hills, Texas. She lovingly and happily welcomed 4 stepchildren and their children into her family.

Jean and Marvin traveled the world, making several trips to Germany, where they made friends and were invited back to stay with locals. Their fondness of dancing kept them active and led to many friendships. Jean and Marvin especially loved their second home in Pompano Beach, Florida where they hosted family and friends.

Jean was very active in her Church and led the Beginning Experience for several years at St. John the Apostle. She sang with the choirs at St. John’s and Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville, Texas.

Jean is survived by her husband Marvin Defauw, daughter Leanne Southerland and her husband John, son Tim Petersen and his wife D’Ann, stepdaughters Denise Wilson, Terri Reese, and Carol Wiggins and stepson Larry Defauw and his wife Trish. She adored her many grandchildren from her blended family and especially enjoyed hosting everyone at Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Jean Defauw’s funeral service will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Bryan, Texas on Saturday, January 8, 2022 at 11:30 AM. Mass will be preceded by a rosary. Services will be live streamed from St. Joseph’s YouTube page, St. Joseph Catholic Church Bryan, TX – https://tinyurl.com/5fy5fnkk. Interment of ashes will be held at a later date at Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Colleyville, Texas. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made in her name to the Alzheimer’s Research Foundation at https://alzinfo.org. The family has entrusted Callaway Jones with the arrangements.