Obituary of Mary Ellen Roche

Mary Ellen (O'Connor) Roche passed away peacefully at home on November 12, 2014 at the age of 82. Born in 1931 to Bridget (Doherty) and Peter O'Connor in the village of Dromahair, County Leitram, Ireland, Mary arrived in the United States at age 18 in 1951 under the sponsorship of her uncle Thomas P. O’Connor . She settled in Peabody and was grateful for the interest and guidance provided by Mary Woods. In 1958, she married the late James J. Roche residing in Peabody for the next 63 years. As the oldest of 9 children, she helped raise her siblings which drove her lifelong ethic for hard work and caregiving. She was immensely proud as an Irish immigrant and of what she had accomplished but she was most proud of her naturalized citizenship and vigorously followed politics and local news; particularly national elections and the local school board. She worked for many years at the Liberty Pavilion Nursing Home, the New England Home for the Deaf and the former J.B. Thomas Hospital in Peabody. Her hobbies were her family and her home. Whether presiding over a court of teenagers at the kitchen table or supporting a friend with gracious understanding, she always made time for others and was a great friend to many. Her example of courage and kindness will be remembered. She is survived by 3 children, Michael B with his wife Sharyn Roche of Pelham, NH, Daniel P. Roche of Peabody, MA and Kathleen T. with her husband Robert Segura of Ballston Spa, NY. She leaves 3 grandchildren Siobhan Roche, Connor Roche of Pelham, NH and Remington Rockwood of Ballston Spa, NY. Her siblings include Peggy (Tony) Jones, Kathleen (Peter) Corcoran of England, John (Ellen) O’Connor, Ann (Ted) Kelly and Lily O’Connor of Ireland. She was pre-deceased by her brother Daniel (Veronica) of Ireland. She also leaves dear cousins Marie Prisby of San Diego, California and Peggy O'Connor of Chicago, Illinois. In addition to many close friends and neighbors, especially Ron and Jan Leclerc, who have been so generous in their time and consideration. Her Funeral Service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at St. John the Baptist Church, Peabody to which relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend. A visitation will be held prior to the service from 9:00 AM until 10:30 AM at the Conway, Cahill-Brodeur Funeral Home, 82 Lynn St. Peabody. Burial will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Salem. Those wishing to make a donation in lieu of flowers may do so to The New England Home for the Deaf, Danvers, MA. Visit http://www.nehd.org/ for more information.