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JACKIE RIPLEYChef Regina Brady died in a motorcycle accident in March.
LUTZ - For Regina Brady, nearly every day was a Good Day Sunshine. The 39-year-old former chef loved all music, especially that of the Beatles.
It stands to reason then that her friends would hang that moniker on a benefit concert in her honor Sunday at Skipper's Smokehouse.
"It sort of reflects her positivity, her happiness and her joy," said her partner, Samantha Dunscombe. "She was a rare person, very enlightened."
Ms. Brady died in a motorcycle accident in St. Petersburg in March. She was born in Tampa and was known in the Tampa Bay area for her vegetarian cuisine.
Ms. Brady started her chef career in the kitchen at Skipper's, and always loved the spirit there, Dunscombe said. Eventually, she branched out to other Tampa Bay restaurants, including Mise en Place, Native Seafood, Viva La Frida Cafe, Nature's Harvest and Rolling Oats in St. Petersburg.
A batik artist and musician, Ms. Brady loved camping and spending time on the water. She was working on a degree in zoo animal technology at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville.
"She loved all animals," said Julie Sheid, her friend and an organizer of the benefit concert.
The Good Day Sunshine Regina Brady Memorial Scholarship Benefit concert, from 5 to 9 p.m. Sunday, will include everything from raucous rock 'n' roll to ballads. The bands and performers include Crash Mitchell, Juniper with John McEwen, Shawn Brown, John Hancock, Nectar and Maggie Council.
"It's the kind of thing she would have wanted," Dunscombe said. "She would have wanted everybody to just get together and have a good time."
Proceeds will go to the Regina Brady Memorial Scholarship at Santa Fe Community College.
A $10 donation is requested.
Jackie Ripley can be reached at 813 269-5308 or ripley@sptimes.com