Mary Lou Roche

ROCHE Mary L. (Mary Lou) Roche, age 89 of Naples, FL, formerly of Trumbull, beloved wife of her late husband, Jack Roche, passed away peacefully with her loving family by her side Thursday, February 24, 2022. She was a loving mother, compassionate nurse, and cherished friend to many. Born in Bridgeport, the daughter of the late Richard and Mary Peters, she attended St. Augustine’s School in Bridgeport followed by Bassick High School, graduating in 1950. Mary Lou continued her education at St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing, graduating in 1953. Mary Lou was a people person her whole life. While raising her nine children, she worked continuously in the nursing profession and then later in the food service industry. Mary Lou was gifted with creative talent and her artwork, ceramics and decorated cakes were show pieces to be marveled. Her warm demeanor and welcoming voice put anyone at ease in her presence, and her patients and customers quickly bonded with her and looked forward to seeing her smile. Mary Lou and Jack were an inseparable couple who both believed in education and community work and lived their mission. Survivors include her nine beloved children and their spouses: Kate Roche, Ceil Roche, John and Nina Roche, Noreen and Kevin Franklin, Sheila and Tony Botter, Nancy and Alex Parker, Maureen and Joe Bartolomeo, Tricia Roche, and Eileen and Adi Ahuja. She is also survived by her seventeen grandchildren and their spouses and fiances: John Dorsey, Meaghan and Billy Kleinfeldt, Michael and Jolyn Dorsey, Elizabeth and Alex Williams, Sheila and Xavy Sanchez, Shannon Franklin and Dru Barreiro, Jillian Franklin, Jeff Botter, Richard and Maxine Botter, Phillip Botter, Molly and Erik Nojd, Tierney Parker, AJ Parker, Caitlin and JJ Van Ess, Emily Bartolomeo and Mike Dutra, Joe Bartolomeo and Owen Ahuja. She is also survived by her great-grandchildren: Colin Kleinfeldt, Maeve Kleinfeldt, Jason Botter, Ethan Botter, Logan Botter, Owen Botter, Bella Botter and Logan Van Ess as well as several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her loving brothers, Joseph, Richard, William and John Peters. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Tuesday, March 1, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. meeting directly at St. Pius X Church, 834 Brookside Drive, Fairfield, CT 06824. Interment will be private in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Stratford. Friends may call Monday from 4-7 p.m. in the Spear-Miller Funeral Home, 39 South Benson Road, Fairfield. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mercy Learning Center, 637 Park Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06604. For information or to sign an online guest registry, please visit www.SpearFuneralHome.com .