Shirley B. Deroche

Shirley B. DeRoche, 96, passed away on October 8, 2023. She was born on November 16, 1926, in Sanford, Maine. She was married to Roland E. DeRoche for more than 73 years until his death in 2017. She and Roland had one child Michael DeRoche, who predeceased her last year in Georgia. Shirley was a dedicated career woman during a time in the past when most wives stayed at home. She worked continuously most of her adult life until she was in her mid-seventies, rising to Executive Assistant to the President of the Life of Georgia insurance company in Atlanta. Shirley and Roland retired to Florida where they enjoyed an active retirement, including extensive travel.

At the time of her death, Shirley was living at the Lake Gibson Village assisted living facility where she had numerous acquaintances and friends. Her husband, Roland was a decorated U.S. Marine who fought in numerous WWII battles in the South Pacific, including Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima. Shirley was of the Catholic faith and received Last Rites at Good Shepherd Hospice. She will be buried next to Roland at Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell, Florida. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Heath Funeral Chapel. Gifts in lieu of flowers may be made in Shirley’s name to her favorite charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.