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In Memory

Nancy Lee Lehman (Roche) - Class Of 1956 VIEW PROFILE

Nancy Lee Lehman (Roche)

Nancy Lee (Lehman) Roche

Nancy Lee Roche, 84, of South Bend, Indiana passed away on Wednesday, October 19, 2022, in the Raclin House, after a long battle with Alzheimer’s. Nancy was born on August 27, 1938 in South Bend, Indiana to Paul Lehman and Elinore (Rupert) Lehman. On May 2, 1959 in Holy Cross Church, she married Joseph L. Roche, who preceded her in death on September 11, 2005. She was also preceded in death by her parents, Paul Lehman and Elinore Milliken; and her sister, Sharon Lehman.

Nancy is survived by her daughter, Kathy (Jeff) Murray of Granger, Indiana; her son, Thomas (Kris) Roche of South Bend, Indiana; six grandchildren, Emilee Duell, Carly Niemier, Ally (Ryan) Gurson, Chase Murray, A.J. Roche and Kayla Roche; two great-grandchildren, Lucy and Beau Gurson; and her brother, Ray “Butch” Milliken.

Nancy was a strong, self-sufficient woman. She was tough as nails and had a loving heart. She spent a good portion of her life taking care of others. In her later years this included volunteering a lot of her time to local organizations in Michigan and Florida. Nancy loved the outdoors. Most days you could find her tending to flowers, gardening, and doing yard work. She wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Nancy had a love of jewelry and spent many years employed at J.R. Fox Jewelers. Nancy was an avid blood donor, never missing a donation. After retirement, Nancy and Joe spent a lot of time at their home in Florida and their lake Cottage on Fish Lake in Sturgis, MI. Her grandkids were an important part of Nancy’s life, and they all have so many cherished memories of sleepovers, time spent at the lake, Holidays, the list goes on. She was the best definition of Grandma, “Gram”. Although the last years of her life were spent with Alzheimer’s, she went through it with grace, even tending to the flower beds at the facility she resided. When words were no longer easy for her to express, she could still hum and sing every word to songs. Her favorite, You Are My Sunshine.

We are thankful for all the beautiful memories we have to hold on to. We are comforted knowing you are no longer in pain, your mind and body have been healed. We know you are speeding over the “tickle belly” hills of Heaven.

A Celebration of Nancy’s Life will take place at 1:00 p.m. Sunday, November 13, 2022 in the Kaniewski Funeral Home, 3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend, Indiana. A visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Sunday in the funeral home. Burial will take place in Mount Pleasant Cemetery at a later date.

The family asks, if you are able, to make a local blood donation in Nancy’s honor.

Memorial Contributions may also be directed to the Center for Hospice Care, Mishawaka, IN. To send online condolences, please visit kaniewski.com

Posted online on October 27, 2022

Published in South Bend Tribune

10/31/2022 EJS



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