Obituary of Sheila M. Roche

Sheila M. Roche (nee Donnelly) was born Oct. 27, 1939 in Waterville, Co. Kerry Ireland to the late Mary(nee FitzGerald) and Denis(tailor) Donnelly.

After finishing school at the age of 17 she immigrated to New York on May 9, 1957. Soon after arriving in New York she attended an Irish dance in NYC with her cousin Sister Mary Doyle. It was at this dance she met her late husband James E. Roche (deceased 1994). They married on August 22, 1959 and the rest as they say is history.

Family always came first for Sheila and Jim and they showed that to young cousins Jack and Danny Haren and later to Sheila's Ohio cousins: Peggy, Kitt, Pat and Gerri when they immigrated from England. The stories they can tell...

After marrying in August 1959 Sheila and Jim started their own family on August 1, 1960... 63 years to the day when she entered heaven. Sheila and Jim created a legacy!

After having her 7 children Sheila went back to school and became a nurse at the age of 50. She proudly served with compassion for over 15 years at Coney Island Hospital. She loved being a nurse and was happy to be able to help put her 7 children through Catholic elementary school, high school and college.

Irish heritage always being very important to both Sheila and Jim all their children spent many summers in Waterville with their grandparents, uncles and aunts. In Ireland Sheila leaves behind her beloved siblings: Kevin(Kathleen), Brendan, Tony(Helena) and Ann Collins(Declan) and many neices, nephews, cousins and life time friends and neighbors who adored Sheila and looked forward to every visit.

Sheila leaves behind her 7 Children: Dennis(Giovanna deceased 2006), Irene, Noreen Collins(Frank), Edward(Jennifer), Kevin(Nancy), Sheila Roche - Walz, Mary O'Sullivan(Brendan).

Sheila was a very devoted grandmother and great grandmother leaving behind 18 adoring grandchildren: James, Elizabeth, Patrick, Deirdre, Patricia, Erin, Kelly, Jennifer, James, Connor, Brendan, Emma, Caitlin, Christian, Kate, Kaileigh, Cameron and Kieran and 5 great grandchildren: Gianna, Anthony, James, Dylan and Luciano.

After years of declining health God needed a shining star and took Sheila up to join her loved ones already in heaven: husband James E. Roche, parents Denis and Mary Donnelly, sister Mary Kennedy, in laws Irene and Edward Roche, brothers in law Michael Roche and Jerry FitzGerald, beloved Daughter in law Giovanna B. Roche, grandchildren Daniel Collins and Anthony Roche, Aunt Nora Haren and cousin Peggy McVay.

Sheila raised her family in the same home in Brooklyn for over 60 years and St. Brendan's Parish has been a constant in the education of her children and in her daily faith. Sheila attended mass many days a week where she stayed for the rosary with best friend of 40+ years Rose Huczko and others then walked for coffee with the girls.

If you wish in lieu of flowers a donation in Sheila's name to
The Alzheimer's Association

Forever In Our Hearts

Eternal rest grant unto her, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May Sheila's soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Reposing Sunday, August 6 from 2 to 5 and 7 to 9:00 PM at Marine Park Funeral Home, 3024 Quentin Road, Brooklyn.

Mass of Christian burial will be held 11:00 AM on Monday, August 7 at St. Brendan R.C. Church, 1525 East 12th Street, Brooklyn.

Burial to immediately follow at Calverton National Cemetery.

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