HANNACROIX -

On July 13, 2024, Mary Bernadette Roche peacefully put down her pen, leaving behind a story written with grace.

Born on February 20, 1935, Mary would become the eldest of her siblings and a daughter of Ballymote. Her early life was marked by the legendary "wandering elephant" incident, a moment of childhood chaos that perhaps sparked her lifelong resilience. On April Fool’s Day in 1954, she carried that Irish spirit across the Atlantic to New York City, where a new chapter began.

Mary’s life was one of the things she held dear, her family, the rhythmic click of her pen as she wrote to those she loved, and the music that always seemed to find her. It was at a dance in the Bronx that she met John, the man who would become her partner in all things. Together, they danced through the decades, their bond remaining as steady and vibrant well into the 21st century as it was on the night they met.

Though she carried the quiet weights of a sensitive soul, Mary’s light never wavered.

She returns now to her beloved Ballymote to rest in the peace she so richly deserves.

She is held in the hearts of her devoted husband, John; her son, Martin; and the many family members and friends who were lucky enough to be part of her story.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com