The Lord is my light and Salvation

NORTH OGDEN - A very dear and special child of God has left us. We are blessed that she shared her spirit, life and love with us. Colleen Marie Roach, age 46, passed away Thursday, January 20, 2005 after a valiant 21-month battle with brain cancer. She had such a strong will to live and met each day with every ounce of her faith and strength. She was born in Shelton, Washington on June 10, 1958 to Wesley W. Roach and V. Jane Sandberg. She attended schools in Washington, Utah and California. She was a graduate of Clearfield High School and graduated from Grossmont College, La Mesa, CA. She graduated with high honors and was on the dean's list. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served at NAS North Island, CA, working on Flight Simulators for six years. After completing her college education she returned to Utah and worked as a respiratory therapist at McKay-Dee Hospital in the NICU for almost 20 years. Every family whose baby s he cared for was blessed. She cared for the babies with knowledge and skill, but mostly love. She loved her work and she was one of the best. She loved the little babies very much, especially little Jonathon. It was important to Colleen to be as perfect as possible in every task she undertook. She was honest and hard working. She faced each day with a smile and will be remembered for her whistling while she worked and lots of stickers placed on her cup. She was a true and faithful member of St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Ogden. She was a Communion Minister, RCIA sponsor and CCW member. She enjoyed gardening, cooking, handcrafts and many different sports; her main and most rewarding pasttime was crocheting. She made numerous doilies and afghans, which she loved to give to her friends and family. This was her life, right up to the end, when she had lost a lot of vision and could hardly see, she kept on crocheting. Surviving are her parents, Jane Sandberg, North Ogden; Wesley Roach, Plea sant Prairie, WI; her loving brothers and sisters, Alan (Amy) Royce, Anchorage, AK; Mark (Melani) Sandberg, Pleasant VIew; Diane (Steve) Dolatowski, Minot, ND; Shana (Craig) Frahm, Pleasant View. Shana was Colleen's faithful, loving and devoted caretaker, at Colleen's side each and every day. She promised Colleen she would take her to mass each day, and she kept that promise. How blessed Colleen was to have a special sister like Shana. Nieces, Sarah, Janice, Jennifer, Emily, Alison and nephews, Chris and Logan. Her special Aunt Twig and Uncle Bill Francom, who were always there for her and many other wonderful aunts and uncles and cousins. Colleen wanted to mention and extend her thanks to the many who were part of her life. Her friends from California, Al Stoltenberg, Judy Arshop and husband Mike. Judy was her best friend for many years. Judy's faithfulness and love for Colleen will always be remembered. The entire NICU staff at McKay-Dee Hospital who were like her family, Jennie, Karen, I sabell, Linda, Nancy, all her fellow workers, you were special to her and she loved you all. Your continued support was so appreciated by her. She was so grateful for all the love given, the many prayers offered on her behalf, the phone calls, the wonderful cards and visits that you took time to share with her. She wanted to thank her friends from the parish. Rose Saunders, Bonnie Maruri and many others. She was truly loved by many and will be missed by all those whose lives have been touched by her presence. She was preceded in death by her special stepdad, Fred H. Sandberg; her very special grandmothers, Grace Wright and Nellie Underwood; Grandma and Grandpa Roach, her cousin Davis Stoker, Aunt Ida Stoker and Scruffy, her little dog, who was her friend and buddy; her very good friend, Tom Buller. Colleen asked us to express her sincere love and thanks to the doctors and other medical professionals who used their skills, time and wonderful care that allowed her to live as long as she co uld. Her special Dr. Blake Welling, Dr. David Fantle, Dr. Vincent Hansen, Dr. Leslie Ingersol and their staff. The wonderful IHC Hospice Group, especially her loving nurses, Eileen and RaeLynn, also Sean Horsley and Dr. John Wood. Father Kenneth Vialpando and Sister Joseph Cecile, who were very much loved by Colleen; the sisters at Mount Benedict Monastery, especially Sister Stephanie Mongeon, who always came when we needed her special love. Much appreciation and love to her niece Sarah, for her preparation of Colleen's funeral mass. The good and kind neighbors and friends who were always ready to help. Holy Rosary will be celebrated at 6 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 23, 2005 at Larkin Mortuary, 496 24th St., Ogden, UT. Friends may visit after the Rosary until 8 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held Monday, January 24, 2005 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 514 24th St. in Ogden at 10 a.m. Colleen has asked that in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Make-a-Wish, McKay-Dee Hospital Foundation and St. Joseph Catholic Church. Cremation will follow the service. Interment at a later date at Washington Heights Memorial Park. We her family express our sincere thanks, love and prayers to those who have played a lasting role in her life and ours. Some people make the world special just by being in it.