Cheryl Church Roche

Cheryl Church Roche

July 28, 1923 – November 27, 2020

She was preceded in death by her husband, John R. “Jack” Roche; granddaughter, Cynthia Syster.  Cheryl is survived by her daughter, Colleen Syster (Tom); son, Robert “Rob” Roche (Jan); grandchildren, Brent Syster (Brenda), Malissa Farris (Jeff), Mark Roche; great-grandchildren, Jack and Owen Glade, Jacob and Lucas Syster; sister, Judy Blazek (Skip); nieces, Elisa Wiseman, Carrie Rath, Joanna Fisher, Marisue Hartung; nephew, Robert Hartung.

Cheryl was born in Cresco, Iowa where she lived for the first five years of her life before moving with her parents to Chicago and after a few years to Omaha.  They went back to Cresco frequently to visit her parents families, and she never forgot the special memories of her childhood visits to Cresco…..it was always her “Hometown!”  She grew up in Omaha, attending Columbian Grade School and Central High School.  She met her husband, Jack, at Central and along with Cresco, Central High School remained a special place for her.  Following their graduations, Jack joined the Navy where he trained to become a Naval aviator in WWII.  They were married following his basic training and following the war they settled in Omaha.  In 1966 they moved to the Madison Park neighborhood in Seattle returning to Omaha for many family visits.  While in Seattle, Cheryl was active in the community with the Girl Scouts and Plymouth Congregational Church.  She was a volunteer for the community theater and a docent in the Pike Place Market, an area she loved.  She was an early investor and enthusiast of Washington state grapes and wines.  After Jack’s passing in 1997 she returned to Omaha where she became a member of the Central High School Alumni Association and joined First Central Congregational Church.  She became very active in the life of the church.  She was the official greeter at the church door every Sunday for many years….a position that enabled her to touch the lives of many people.  She was also an active member of The Old Market Book Club and a passionate consumer of every theatrical, musical, symphonic and opera production in Omaha.  She loved Cresco, Seattle and Omaha and everyone who knew her everywhere she lived, loved her, too.  She is remembered for teaching manners and culture to her children and grandchildren.  The last few years of her life she lived at Brookestone Meadows where she received loving, compassionate care.  Her family appreciates all that the staff did to make Cheryl’s final years comfortable.

A celebration of her life will be scheduled at a later date when it is safer to gather.  Donations to First Central Congregational Church in Omaha or Doctors without Borders.