Shirley M. LaRoche

Shirley M. (O'Donnell) LaRoche, 89, of Goffstown, loving wife of Albert R. LaRoche (deceased) died peacefully surrounded by members of her loving family and exceptional care staff on September 19, 2018 at Hillsborough County Nursing Home after a period of declining health. She was born in Hartford, CT on March 7, 1929, the eldest child of James and Ruth (Gelb) O'Donnell (both deceased), was raised in Manchester, NH, educated in the local school system, graduated from Saint Joseph High School, was among the first women to attend classes at Saint Anselm College and was a proud graduate of the Moore General Hospital School of Nursing.

Shirley (or Shirl to her friends) was a complicated, talented woman who was a gifted artist, prolific writer and practitioner of nursing for over 35 years. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 61 years, Albert R. LaRoche. Besides her parents and husband, Shirley was also predeceased by her infant son, Michael LaRoche, her sister, Barbara Rainey and brother, Kevin O'Donnell.

She is survived by her four children, son Brian (Joanne) LaRoche of Pembroke, NH, son Peter (Gay) LaRoche of North East, PA, son Jeffrey (Christina) LaRoche of New Boston, NH and daughter Kristen (Marc) Gagne of Manchester, NH, nine grandchildren and eight great grandchildren. She also leaves behind two sisters, Constance Harisiades of Manchester, NH and Judith Titus of Virginia Beach, VA as well as her very good friends Joan Banks and Judy Mars.

There will be no calling hours. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at 10:00AM in St. Joseph Cathedral Chapel, 145 Lowell St., Manchester, NH. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery in Bedford, NH.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations in Shirley's name be made to the Hillsborough County Nursing Home Memorial Fund.
Cremation Society of NH is assisting the family with arrangements. To view an online memorial, leave a message of condolence, or for more information please go to www.csnh.com