Maureen Ann Roach

Maureen A. Roach, age 83, passed into the arms of our Lord peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Dec. 1, 2023. Maureen’s deep faith and love of our Lord and Blessed Mother radiated from her as she went to Heaven.

Maureen “little beloved one” was born on May 11, 1940, to her loving and proud parents, Wilfred and Lillian McNeal. She grew up in Los Angeles, California, and was the youngest of 13 children.

As a young girl, Maureen was competitive, loved sports, and was quite athletic. At 5’10 Basketball was a natural fit and a sport she excelled in. Her love of music and dance was explored as she was taught at the famous Arthur Murray Dance Academy. Music brought joy to her life and could always be heard playing throughout the family home.

Coming from an Irish Catholic family, faith was the pillar of her foundation and became her greatest strength in life. She attended Catholic school throughout her elementary years and graduated high school from Cathedral Chapel in Southern California. It was while attending San Jose City College that she met the love of her life, her beloved husband of 45 years, Richard L. Roach. Before marrying Richard, she had the joy of becoming a flight attendant for United Airlines, which she spoke of fondly throughout her life. Richard and Maureen married on March 1, 1961, in Greeley, Colorado. The first three years of their marriage were spent abroad in Germany where Richard was stationed in the U.S. Army in Munich. While there, they were blessed with their two sons. After returning to the US, Watsonville California became home where deep roots and a legacy were formed. The family welcomed two daughters and completed their family with two boys and two girls. They eventually built their family home in Corralitos and celebrated many happy memories there together. Upon the passing of Richard, Maureen stepped into his role as partner at the Real Estate Development company Lester Roach and & Gardiner where her business side and savviness grew.

Maureen always looked for ways to give back as she had a servant’s heart. She was pro-life and often volunteered for Respect for Life, 40 Days for Life, Marched for Life, and prayed for women in difficult circumstances. She also fed those in need at the Salvation Army, brought pies to Valley Convalescent for apple pie night, taught catechism, brought communion to the elderly and sick, and helped serve at many church and school functions. Her love for our Blessed Mother led her to form a rosary group at Salesian Sisters with her dear friend Pat Probert. Every Tuesday for forty years, Mo, Pat, and other faith-filled ladies met to pray the rosary for individual intentions and the whole world. One of her cherished ministries was head of a Chapter of Magnificat, which brought woman together for fellowship, prayer, and to help deepen their faith.  Maureen knew faith was the center of everything including marriage. For many years, Richard and Maureen were involved in Marriage Encounter which helped to strengthen marriages. She had the honor of being part of writing a book about women of faith and how it shaped all aspects of her life. This led her to be invited to Rome for a private audience with the Great Pope John Paul 11.

Maureen always had time for everyone no matter what, and her ability to make each person feel like they were the most important was an incredible gift of hers. She was a unifier who brought people together.  She gave everyone the gift of being heard, seen, and valued.  Everyone who met Maureen, whether it be a few minutes, an hour, or a lifetime, all knew she was so rare and special. Her Beautiful Spirit radiated to her last breath.

Maureen is survived by her four children Richard Roach (Karen), Brent Roach (Charlotte), Laureen Jacobi (Mark), and Caureen Roach Hanssen. Her grandchildren Bryan, Victoria, Jillian, Krista, Alexis, Julia, Bailey, Colette, Ben, Riley, and Blake. Her great-grandchildren Aliyah, Lilo, June, Logan, Caroline, Luke, Amelia, Levi, and baby Brooke (on the way). Along with. many nieces and nephews that she adored and many cherished lifelong friends- the closest being Patricia Lester.

Services will be held at Holy Eucharist Catholic Church on Friday, January 12^th, 2024. Rosary at 10:30 am followed by Funeral Mass at 11 am.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Holy Eucharist Catholic Church and Salesians Sisters School both in Corralitos, CA.