Mary E. Roche

SOUTH PORTLANS - Mary E. Roche, 91, formerly of Briarwood Road, died peacefully on Monday, March 24, 2014 at the South Portland Nursing Home with her loving family by her side.She was born in Portland on October 20, 1922 the daughter of Harold T. and Grace Griffin Keating. She attended local schools.During her younger years, Mary worked for many of the downtown businesses in Portland including Hayes Drug Store, Lafayette Hotel, Porteous, Mitchell Braun and Rines Department Store. She retired from Data General in 1984 after working for more than ten years as an electrical inspector. Having never owned a car, Mary was an avid walker. She enjoyed traveling and camping at Lake Pemaquid for many years. Her greatest love however was spending time surrounded by her family and friends especially her grandchildren, great grandchildren and great great grandchildren.Mary was predeceased by a grandson Jayson Roche and two daughters in law Marylou Roche and Betsy Roche. She is survived by two daughters Patricia Sawyer of Portland, Cynthia and her husband Michael Fletcher of South Portland; two sons Thomas Roche Sr. of Westbrook and James Roche of Brewer; a sister Virginia Haskell of South Portland; brother Edward Keating of Portland; seven grandchildren Linda Martel, Suzanne Sawyer, Thomas Roche Jr., Susan Burton, Jeanne Sloan, Heidi Clark and Jenny Fletcher; twelve great grandchildren and one great great grandson. Several nieces and nephews.Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, March 27, 2014 from 11:00am to 12:00pm at the Conroy-Tully Crawford South Portland Chapel 1024 Broadway. A funeral service will follow at the funeral home at 12:00pm. Burial will be private.Online condolences may be expressed below.