With heavy hearts we share news of the passing of Virginia Roach, beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. Virginia passed away at home with her precious dog Matty at her side on June 11th, 2022.
Virginia was born in Las Cruces on September 30, 1928. She spent many happy days on her grandparent’s farm in Fairacres and at age 13 became an usherette at the Rio Grande Theater. She graduated from Las Cruces Union High School and attended NMSU and UNM where she began work on a degree in education. In 1949 she was chosen to represent Las Cruces as a Sun Princess in the annual El Paso Sun Bowl Parade. She met her future husband, Paul Roach Jr., in high school and their relationship blossomed when she began to correspond with him when he was a prisoner of war in Korea. A fellow POW made a friendly bet that they would be married within a year of its release. They were wed in three months. He lost the bet but found the love of his life. They delighted in telling people they were born a year and a block apart, delivered by the same doctor, the only obstetrician in Las Cruces at the time.
The consummate Army wife, Virginia traveled the world, creating a beautiful home and making good friends wherever they were stationed. Daughter Martha was born at Ft.Ord, California followed by Catherine at Ft. Benning, Georgia. The family was stationed in Berlin, Germany when the Berlin Wall was erected and later was assigned to the US Embassy in Caracas, Venezuela.
The daughter of a talented artist, throughout her life Virginia pursued her love of art. She was an accomplished painter and upon Paul’s retirement she opened the Pink Adobe Gallery in Hillsboro, NM. She participated in countless juried shows and was the recipient of many awards. Her work hangs in homes all over the world, reflecting her unique vision and bringing joy to those that see it. She was represented by Glenn Cutter Gallery and enjoyed being a member of several local art groups.
Virginia was an avid gardener and passed her love of flowers and art to her daughters and grandchildren. She adored her pets and doted on them. Whether cats, dogs, birds, turtles, or koi, in their freely offered opinion they were “the smartest in the world.”
We will remember her for her kindness, her generosity, her love of people, and her unfailing ability to create beauty around her. A private graveside service will be held at the Masonic Cemetery in Las Cruces. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in Virginia’s memory to ACTion Programs for Animals at apalascruces.org or mailed to ACTion Programs for Animals at 537 Solano Dr. Las Cruces, NM 88001.
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Published by Perches – Graham’s Funeral Home (La Paz – Graham’s Funeral Home) on Jun. 15, 2022.
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