Janet Roach

Janet Kelsch Roach of Storrs-Mansfield, passed away on Monday, March 16, 2015. Born February 23, 1929 in Williamsville, New York, the daughter of the late Aloysius and Leah Dennis Kelsch. She attended the Williamsville High School and the University of Buffalo. Janet met Jack Roach, as caseworkers in the Eire County welfare department and they married in 1952. Together they had two children, Brian and Ellen. The family moved from Buffalo, NY to Storrs in 1965. In the following years Janet earned a Masters degree in Sociology and served as an instructor at Eastern Connecticut State College. She was active in progressive social causes, on which she wrote frequently. Janet greatly enjoyed summers at the family cottage in North Eastham, Cape Cod where she learned to sail, fish and harvest shellfish; consistently catching more flounder than her husband, Jack. In the fall she loved to gather beach plums, converting them into widely appreciated jelly. Janet is survived by her husband, Jack Roach of Storrs, daughter Ellen Roach of Roslindale, Massachusetts, son Brian Roach of San Jose, California, grandson Anthony Roach of Atlanta, Georgia, and granddaughter Leah Roach of Long Beach, California. A memorial gathering will be held in approximately six weeks for friends and family. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Covenant Soup Kitchen, 220 Valley Street, Willimantic, Connecticut 06226.