Juanita Claire Roche

Juanita Claire Roche

July 1, 1933 -April 10, 2021

Juanita Claire Roche, 87, passed away peacefully at her home Saturday April 10, surrounded by her family. Juanita was born in Anaconda on July 1st, 1933 to Amos and Florence  "Bossy" (Wallace) Mehrens. She was one of 10 children — 5 brothers, Robert "Babs"(Mary Ellen "Mernie" Monahan), Wallace

"Lefty"(Margarriet "Muggs" Monahan), John "Sandy"(Helen Torgerson), James "Leo" (Ruth Gollick) & Milton "Fidge", and 4 sisters — Lorraine (Don Kelly), Dorothy (Hank Burgess), Mary (Joe Piatt), Catherine (Foster Kelly).

Juanita spent her whole life in Anaconda. She graduated from Anaconda Central in 1951. While working as a telephone switch board operator she met the love of her life Jack Roche. They married on May 14th, 1955 and raised 4 children.

Juan was an avid sports fan but extremely passionate for her beloved Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the Utah Jazz & New York Yankee's. Juan always had a game on. You could always ruffle her feathers by saying anything negative about one of "her" teams. Especially if they were playing on television at the time.

Juan loved to feed the crew and had various jobs as a cook including Granny's Kitchen and The Embassy Club. She loved spending time at the family cabin at Georgetown Lake making spaghetti (her brother Babs' recipe) for everyone. Sitting around the fire or at the kitchen table she would always get the singalongs started with Goodbye My Anaconda Baby, Danny Boy, Anne's Song, or the Fighting Irish theme song that she could play anytime on her key chain. Her favorite holidays were always St. Patrick’s Day & The 4th of July. Juan loved a parade and usually could be found with her besties Helen Palakovich & Ann Caufield... The 3-Amigo's.

Juan, the last of the Mehrens clan was preceded in death by her parents, 5 brothers & 4 sisters.

She is survived by her husband Jack of 65 years and 4 children, all of whom still reside in the Anaconda area. Jack Jr, Carole (Bud) Fitzpatrick, Dan (Teri) Roche, and Patty (Steve) Stanberry.

Grandchildren include Bobbi Jo Lorengo, Trisha (Cory) Heffernan, Scott (Britney) Lorengo, Nick (Callie)Roche, Amanda Cutting, Kellie (Ethan) Green, Abby Stanberry (Adam Cook), Matt Roche, Lacey Roche, Cory Stanberry, Dennis Stanberry & Shelbie Roche. She also has 12 great grandchildren with 3 more on the way.

A mass and celebration of life will be held at a later date.