1927
Joyce
2023
Joyce Iris LaRoche
January 22, 1927 — May 16, 2023
Joyce Iris Cynthia LaRoche, née, Latchem, died May 16, 2023, at Stella Maris in Timonium, MD.
She was 96. Born near Bath, England, on January 22, 1927, she met her future husband
Gerard -a soldier in the US 2nd Armored Division - at a USO dance a few weeks before the
Normandy Invasion in 1944. After corresponding with him for three years, she came to the
United States, and they were married in October of 1947. They stayed together for nearly 66
years until his death in October of 2013.
Devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Joyce taught art at St. Anthony’s
High School in Washington, DC, during the 1970’s. She enthusiastically shared her talent for
drawing, painting, calligraphy, and design with those around her well into her old age. Of all her
artistic accomplishments, she was perhaps most proud of her role as a set and costume
designer for numerous community theatre productions. She was also an accomplished
seamstress and gardener, and an excellent cook.
She resided in Cheverly, MD, for over 60 years, and was a member of St. Ambrose Parish,
where she sang in the church choir for over 25 years. She was a member of the Cheverly
Women's Club and Garden Club.
A woman of courage, strength, determination, and resourcefulness, she was singularly loyal and
dependable. She lavished special attention on her grandchildren: Matthew, Michelle, Jonathan,
Christina, Janette, and Michael.
Her parting message was about love. In her last days, she expressed her love for the many
friends and family who visited, called and wrote to her. She left us with a commandment: “I
love you all and I want all of you to love and forgive each other.”
She is survived by her three children: David LaRoche of Baltimore, MD, Jerome LaRoche of
West River, MD, and Marianne LaRoche of Hyattsville MD, 6 grandchildren and 12 great-
grandchildren.
There will be a viewing from 10 am to 12 pm on Monday, May 22, at St. Ambrose Catholic
Church in Cheverly, MD. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at noon, followed by
interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Silver Spring, MD.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joyce Iris LaRoche, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, May 22, 2023
10:00am - 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Saint Ambrose Catholic Church
Mass
Monday, May 22, 2023
Starts at 12:00 pm (Eastern time)
Saint Ambrose Catholic Church
Interment
Monday, May 22, 2023
Gate of Heaven Cemetery
Immediately Following the Service
Guestbook
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