Regina L. Dayton

Regina Laudi Dayton, of Marco Island, Florida went home to Jesus on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Discovery Village, in Naples, Florida. She was born April 27, 1952, to Peter R. Laudi and Gretchen M. Laudi of Cleveland, Ohio. She married Timothy John Dayton in 1978.

She graduated from Brooklyn High School in Brooklyn, Ohio, in 1970 and Heidelberg University in Tiffin, Ohio, in 1974. Regina offered her time and talent as a Social Studies teacher at Nordonia High School in Macedonia, Ohio and later retired from Strongsville High School in Strongsville, Ohio.

In 1998, Regina created a community service program called SHINE (Students Helping in Neighborhoods Everywhere) in Strongsville, Ohio. The activities began small, with coat drives, sending flowers to Columbine High School, and planting flowers at a hospice. The program grew to include more than three hundred students, with projects ranging from AIDS walks, food drives, supporting the Special Olympics and raking leaves for the elderly. The efforts of the program brought community leaders and parents together to expand the initiative citywide. Strongsville High School eventually adopted a community service requirement into its curriculum because of these activities. Mrs. Dayton was a teacher who wanted to have an influence - and a human who wanted to change the way we treat one another with kindness. 

Mrs. Dayton also initiated a Veterans Day program to present a flag to each veteran in Strongsville, Ohio. For this work, Regina and her students received a commendation from the Ohio Senate, the Strongsville City Council, and a note of congratulations from President George W. Bush. Mrs. Dayton truly spread the spirit of volunteerism and community involvement.

Regina proudly served as an Intelligence Officer in the United States Naval Reserve and retired as a Lieutenant Commander. Her husband, Tim, also served in the Reserve, and they enjoyed traveling around the United States for training.

Trusting in the promise of heaven, Regina was a spiritual person who enjoyed participating in church activities. She attended Saint Thomas More Parish in Brooklyn, Ohio; Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Marblehead, Ohio; and San Marco Catholic Church in Marco Island, Florida. 

Regina is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and two beloved Shelties. She had many relatives, students, and friends, and she was grateful to everyone who helped her over the past few years. 

There will be a graveside service Wednesday, November 26th at 11:30am at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park, Ohio. Regina will rest with her husband, Tim, and her beloved dogs, Lord and Leah. Memorials may be given to charities chosen by the donor, in the spirit of community service.