Josephine S. Roach, 83, formerly of Hagerstown, MD, passed away surrounded by her family on November 17, 2010, in Fort Pierce, FL. Born July 16, 1927 in Hagerstown, MD, she was the daughter of the late Max Hiram Spielman and Page Elizabeth Grandstaff Spielman.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 33 years, Lewis W. (Bud) Roach in July 1981. She was also preceded in death by her only brother, Jack Spielman, formerly of Hagerstown, Maryland.
Josephine was a 1945 graduate of Hagerstown High School. She was a 1948 graduate of Washington County Hospital School of Nursing, graduating with her RN. After graduation, she married her high school sweetheart in 1948. She worked in the nursery at the Washington County Hospital from 1948-1950. She had her first two children 14 months apart, then returned to nursing at the Washington County Hospital from 1953-1955. Josephine then had four more children putting her nursing on hold. After her 6th child was born she returned to nursing at the Washington County Hospital, from 1966-1977, working as Charge Nurse then Head Nurse. She moved to Florida in 1977. She worked at Lawnwood Medical Center as Head Nurse from 1978-1984.
In1984, she was instrumental in opening the first Hospice in St. Lucie County. There she worked in every position until her retirement in 2001. Working in Hospice was the greatest experience of her nursing career. She was caring and compassionate and always put her patients and families first.
She is survived by six children, Lynda Roach Graves of Hagerstown, MD, Perry Roach, wife Maxine of Ft. Pierce, FL, Suzy Rouse of Hobe Sound, FL, Jo Ann Steinhauer, husband Jim of Stuart, FL, Jay M. Roach of Ft. Pierce, FL, and Tracy Roach Walls, husband Sonny of Ft. Pierce, FL; six granddaughters, Anissa Wade of Hagerstown, MD, Taryn Griffin and Lauren Harmon of Tallahassee, FL, Rachel Roach of Tampa, FL and Tori and Alli Walls of Ft. Pierce, FL; two great-granddaughters, Page and Kate Wade of Hagerstown, MD; one great-grandson, John Ford Griffin of Tallahassee, FL. She is also survived by her sister-in-law and best friend, Clara Spielman Williams and nephew, Mike Spielman of Ft. Pierce, FL.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Treasure Coast Hospice Counseling Center, 5000 Dunn Road, Fort Pierce, FL 34981.
www.TCHospice.org
Services: A celebration of life reception will be held on Wednesday, December 8, 2010 from 2-4 PM at the Haisley Funeral Home Reception Center. Arrangements are under the direction of Haisley Funeral & Cremation Center. A guest book may be signed at
www.haisleyfuneralhome.com