Obituary of Anne Roche

Anne Johnston Roche 90, a long time resident of Cohoes, passed away Wednesday afternoon at Seton Health?s Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home in Clifton Park. Born in Creagh, County Clare, Ireland, on May 4, 1915, Anne was the daughter of Robert and Hannah Johnston. She was predeceased by her four siblings, Thomas, Bridget, Martin and Andrew. Anne was educated in Ireland and moved to London, England in 1933 where she worked in childcare for several years, making annual trips back to Ireland. Anne met her beloved husband when she was 21, at a St. Patrick?s Day dance in London. They married on May 30, 1942, just before Michael left for service in Spain with the British Army. During World War II, Anne survived the London blitz, and worked nights as a telephone operator. In 1950, Anne and Michael immigrated to Australia, residing outside of Melbourne fro ten years. They immigrated to the US in 1960, settling in Cohoes. In her later years, Anne resided in the Clifton Park area until failing health brought her to Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home, where she received wonderful, personal care from a kind and dedicated staff. A devout Catholic, Anne was a communicant of the former St. Agnes Church, and later St. Bernard?s Church in Cohoes. As a home maker, Anne devoted some of her time to the care of the elderly in her neighborhood, and in particular, cared full time for one lady for over a decade. Anne was an active member of the Ancient Order of Hibernians for many years, enjoyed Irish dancing, bowling and volunteering at bingo. Anne?s greatest passion in life, however, were her children and grandchildren. Anne was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael in 2001. She is survived by her son, John P. and his wife Janice Roche of Clifton Park; a daughter Moira and her husband Peter Szilagyi of Pittsford, NY; her five grandchildren, Erin, Lauren and John Roche, Katie and Michael Szilagyi; several nieces and nephews. Nana will be remembered by all of us for her kindness, devotion and ready smile??twas heaven here with you..? Relatives and friends are invited to attend her Mass Of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Tuesday at 9:00 am at St. Bernard?s Church , Ontario St. in Cohoes. Interment will follow in St. Agnes Cemetery. Calling hours are Monday from 4-7 pm at the Fitzgerald Funeral Home Ltd., 105 Vliet Blvd. Cohoes. Contributions may be made to St. Bernard?s Church, for the care of the elderly, or to Schuyler Ridge Nursing Home, Clifton Park.