Mary Margaret Roach

10/03/1926 - 04/30/2004

Mary Margaret Shirey Roach, 77, of Youngstown, passed away Friday, April 30, 2004, in her home, with her husband and daughter at her side, after a courageous struggle with Alzheimer's disease. She was born Oct. 3, 1926, in Youngstown, the daughter of the late Carl Emmons Shirey and Helen Ruth Caldwell Shirey, who were descendants of Youngstown Borough's founding families. Her parents and grandparents had owned and operated the historic Keenan Mill in Youngstown, as well as a sawmill and lumber business in the community during the late 1800s and early 1900s. Mary often told the story of how as children she and her brother, Carl, carried buckets of lemon water and lunch to the workers at the sawmill near their home. Mary's parents died in 1932 from pneumonia within two days of one another. She and her brother, the late Carl Emmons Shirey, were raised by their loving aunts, Ada Elizabeth Shirey and Jessie Emma Shirey Carns, who were both teachers and graduates of California State Normal School (now California State University). Mary attended Youngstown Borough School and graduated from Latrobe High School in 1943. She earned her bachelor of science degree in dietetics from Penn State University in 1946. As a registered clinical dietician, Mary worked at Torrance State Hospital and Westmoreland Hospital until the mid-1960s, when she retired to care for her family. Mary was a lifelong member of St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church in Youngstown. She was also a member of the Latrobe Area Hospital Aid Society and a Little Shop volunteer for which she received a certificate for 40 years of service in 2002. She had also been active as a volunteer for her church, Meals on Wheels, Adelphoi Village and the Westmoreland Literacy Council. Other memberships included the Greensburg College Club and the Home Economists in Homemaking Club. Mary was known to her friends and family as a compassionate and generous woman who gave freely of herself to help others. Those who knew her best remember her as a person of great strength and commitment who was also gentle and kind. She loved to share the bounty of her gardens and kitchen with others. Her cooking expertise was a delight and inspiration to many family and friends. Mary also enjoyed following the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Nittany Lions. In addition to her parents and brother, Mary was preceded in death by two sons, William Carl Roach, in February 2000, and Brett Alan Roach, in January 2004. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, William Andrew Roach, and her daughter, Susanne Roach, both of Youngstown; four grandchildren, Nicole Leigh Roach, of Philadelphia, Brett Alan Roach, of Pittsburgh, Michael Roach, of Latrobe, and Miranda Roach, of Youngstown; her brother-in-law, Warren Roach and his wife, Tanya; nephew, Kevan Roach; and niece, Nicole Rene Roach, all of Elkton, Md.; and her daughter-in-law, Tami L. Roach, of Youngstown. Friends will be received at the HARTMAN-GRAZIANO FUNERAL HOME INC., 1500 Ligonier St., Latrobe, Sunday from 2 to 6 p.m. Funeral services will be held Monday at 11 a.m. in St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Youngstown, with her pastor, the Rev. Dr. David P. von Schlichten, officiating. Interment will follow in St. James Lutheran Cemetery, Youngstown. Should friends desire, memorial contributions may be made to St. James Evangelical Lutheran Church, Youngstown, PA 15696.