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Grace Roche

Posted

Grace M. Roche (Lyons) of Westborough, Mass., formerly of Fountain Hills and Wayland, Mass., died peacefully, surrounded by family on Nov. 30, 2018, after a long illness. She was 86 years old.

Born in Marlborough, Mass., she was the daughter of the late J. Vincent and Marion (McGrath) Lyons and was the beloved wife of the late Thomas C. Roche, Jr.

She was the loving mother of five daughters; MaryAnn Roche Gibbs and Kathleen Monroe, both of Scottsdale, Nancy Roche and her husband, Thomas Frazee of Humarock, Mass., Janet Ceruolo and her husband, John of Westborough, Mass, and Cynthia Roche Yares of Tempe. She leaves behind many beloved grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is also survived by her brothers, Paul Lyons of Beverly Hills, Fla., and David Lyons of Largo, Fla., and many nieces and nephews. Her other brother, Jack Lyons of Marlborough, Mass., predeceased her.

Grace stayed involved in her community while living in Arizona and in Massachusetts. In Arizona, she was an active member of the Women’s Club, Christian Women’s Club, Women’s Bible Study Group, TOPS and the Red Hat Society of Fountain Hills. In Massachusetts, she was an enthusiastic member of the Knitting Group at the Westborough Senior Center.

Despite her self-deprecating manner, Grace was a woman of considerable talents. She was a concert pianist, e.g., who will be remembered for her beautiful renditions of such classics as “Clair de Lune” and “Malaguena.” Although she didn’t ride, she loved horses and was very involved with her daughters in the Pony Club in Weston, Mass. She also accompanied her daughter, Nancy, in national hunter/jumper competitions and operated her own tack shop, the Contemporary Rider, in Wayland, Mass., and the Pine Hill Tack Shop in Sudbury, Mass. While operating the tack shops, her ability to properly measure people for boots was legendary.

Her accomplishments aside, Grace will most fondly be remembered as a constant loving presence in countless people’s lives. She loved unconditionally and was proudest to be considered “Nana” by both her family and by the many friends who became her family. Her humor, compassion and endlessly giving nature will be greatly missed.

A memorial celebration to honor her life will be planned for a later date in Fountain Hills followed by a private interment at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, P.O. Box 541617, Waltham, MA, 02454, or to The Children’s Cancer Network, 6150 W. Chandler Blvd., Suite 1, Chandler, AZ, 85226.