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The late Anne Roche.

The death on Thursday, August 7th of Anne Roche at her home in Kildorrery Road, Mitchelstown saw another stalwart of the business fraternity lost to the town.

A Donegal native, Anne (nee Browne), was born the eldest of five children in 1938. Following her primary school days she went to Claremorris Convent School, went on to do Domestic Science and finished her education in the Munster Institute in Cork. She spent a few short months working in Drombana Creamery before taking up a position of cheesemaker with Mitchelstown Creameries in 1957. She met Tom the following year and they were married 5 years later.

She continued to work in the creamery as head cheesemaker until 1974 when she left to rear her family. She went on to become hugely involved in the family business with Tom at Upper Cork Street and while the business closed down for a period, Anne must have been very proud when their revamped and modernised SPAR shop reopened in March of this year.

Formerly of Creggan, Ballybofey, Co Donegal, Anne became very involved in both the commercial and social life of her adopted town. Tom and herself became very involved in the Festival of the Galtees which was set up to fund Tearmann Ui Chaoimh, and much of their energy, time and money was invested in the project. A lady of very strong faith, she was a regular church goer and a Minister of the Eucharist.

Along with their SPAR shop at Upper Cork Street, they also ran the Central Bar and during Anne's early years in Mitchelstown, Sunday night bingo was a huge atttraction in the Central Hall. She had a keen interest in the collection of period furniture and antiques and was a regular attendee at auctions and antique fairs up until a few years ago.

As expected, there was a large and representative gathering at her removal from O'Brien's Funeral Home on Monday night and at her burial in Brigown New Cemetery on Tuesday.

Ann will be sadly missed by her daughters Esther (Kenneally), Noreen, Anne Marie and Mary B (O’Sullivan), her sister Ellen and Cecilia and brother Andy, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends to whom we extend our sincere sympathy. May she rest in Peace.

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