Obituary

Roach, Sr. Mary Alice D.C.

MENANDS- Daughter of Charity Mary Alice Roach died Thursday, May 31, 2012 at St. Louise House in Albany, NY. Sister Mary Alice Roach ( Kathleen) was born in Johnson City, NY where she was raised the eldest, and only girl, of three children.  She met the Daughters of Charity in fifth grade when St. James Parish School opened. She entered the community in 1946 after her high school graduation.
Following a brief period as an elementary school teacher, Sister Mary Alice was assigned to study for her BSN at St. Joseph College.  It was a challenge to be a young sister at the Central House being called on to perform a number of “little jobs” and maintain a rigorous academic schedule but she received her degree in 1956 and began her career in health care at St. Agnes Hospital, Baltimore as an obstetrics’ nurse.  She became supervisor of that department and was sent to pursue a MSN at St. John’s University after which she became a Director of Nursing Service, first at St. Agnes and later at Lourdes, Binghamton. In 1969 she was named administrator of St. Mary’s Hospital, Troy.  The remainder of her active community life was spent in administration in a variety of settings.
One of the high lights of her life was a trip in 1995 to the Holy Land visiting many   biblical places. 
Sister Mary Alice’s outgoing personality and gracious manner made many friends for the community.  Her last duty as Provincial Director of Development attests to that fact!
In 1992 she moved to DePaul Provincial House and assumed responsibility for   raising money for the under funded service programs sponsored or administered by the Daughters of Charity.
She moved to St. Louise House, Albany, NY in 2005.
Sister Mary Alice is predeceased by her brother Jim and his wife Betty and William’s wife Lois. Sister Mary Alice is survived by her loving and devoted brother William and many nieces and nephews. Wake will be from 4 -7 PM, Sunday, June 3, 2012 when the body returns and is blessed in the DePaul House Chapel, 96 Menand Road, Albany, NY 12204.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, June 4, 2012 in the De Paul   House Chapel at 10:30 AM.  Interment will follow in St Agnes Cemetery, Menands.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Daughters of Charity Ministry Fund (St. Louise Province) 4330 Olive Street, St. Louis, MO 63108- 2622.