of Phoenix, Arizona, passed from this life to the next on October 11, 2010 after a 3 year battle with brain cancer. She went back to God from whence she came and we will all meet again, joyfully in heaven. She is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Richard E. Rochford. Her legacy also leaves six children, Cecelia Sturgeon, Ann (Mark) Schrooten, Richard (Karen) Rochford, Joan (Vernon) Speshock, Maureen (James) Musselman and John (Julie) Rochford. She is also survived by her twenty grandchildren, her sister, Carol Ann (Wayne) Simpkins and many nieces and nephews. Mary was born in Gallup, New Mexico on May 24, 1939, the daughter of Howard and Elizabeth. She attended many schools before graduating from Salpoint High School, Tucson, AZ in 1957 after which she attended St. Joseph’s Hospital Nursing School in Phoenix, AZ and received her LPN. She married Richard Rochford in May of 1959, and then went on to obtain her RN from Maricopa Tech and BSN from University of Phoenix all while raising her family. She worked at St. Joseph’s Hospital for over 35 years.
Mary touched the lives of many as a Wife, Mother, Sister, Labor and Delivery / ER nurse, Paramedic coordinator, Brownie leader, Eucharist minister, Friend and Confidant. She took great pride in being a nurse, and was especially known for being the person to call when you were in labor or needed medical advice. Mary found joy in bringing new life into the world as well as caring for critical patients coming through the ER doors. She loved her travels to Ireland and researching her Irish heritage. She expressed her love through the many blankets, scarves and ceramics she made as gifts for her family and friends. Mary was a compassionate woman who will be missed by all who knew and loved her. Visitation will be from 6-7pm, with a Rosary at 7pm, Wednesday, October 20, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road. Funeral Mass will be at 9:30am, Thursday, October 21, at St. Mary’s Basilica, 231 N. 3rd Street. Interment will follow at Holy Redeemer Cemetery. Donations can be made in Mary’s name to Hospice of the Valley, Phoenix AZ or St. Mary’s High School Scholarship and Development fund, Phoenix, AZ.
Gallery
Mary Dolores Guerra
Dear Ann, I am so sorry for your loss. May God’s love enfold you and your family at this time. I didn’t get a chance to meet your mom. She seems like such an awesome mom. How I got/get to know her is through you, your love for your family and friends, the kindness you bring to those around you. May your hurting heart find comfort in knowing she is with all those who have gone before us. May she rest in eternal peace. God bless you, always, md
Marcy Robb
Mary Rochford was like my other mom. She helped to raise me from the time I was 6 years old and Ann and I became best friends. When I think of her, I think of all the great times I had with her and the Rochford family. I wanted to share some of my favorites.
When we were little and Mrs. Rochford was pregnant with John, Ann and I used to run home everyday to see if she had the baby – one of the last days she was lying on the bed eating grapes when we got there – we found that incredibly funny and we all laughed so hard! On Sunday’s, we crammed the whole family in the little white Datsun and drove what seemed like forever, to watch Mr. Rochford coach soccer at the International School of Management. Once, Mrs. Rochford. recruited me to drive with her to take Mrs. White to the hospital and watch one of White children while she had a baby. Another time in 7th grade, she put a fake cast on my arm to scare our softball coach right before our playoffs – Ann and I couldn’t get it off until we sawed it off with an electric knife!
I spent a great deal of time at the Rochford house. I ate many dinners there and tried to figure out the family trick with the fork as they “passed the sound” around the table. By the way, I still don’t know how they did it! I also spent many Saturday mornings waiting with Mrs. Rochford while Ann was at accordion lessons.
As we got older, Ann and I would stop in periodically to see Mrs. Rochford at St. Joseph’s hospital, where she worked as a nurse. She was an awesome nurse and always took care of me when I needed her. She was there holding my hand when I cut my finger and had to get stitches and she was there at the birth of my kids starting my IV and checking on me during labor.
As time went on and we all got busy with our lives, I would only see Mrs. Rochford every once in a while. When I did see her, all the incredible memories I had growing up would come back to me and make me feel like it was yesterday. Some of the best times I ever had with her was just sitting in the bleachers at her grandson Stephan’s volleyball matches and simply talking about life.
To my other family – I loved your mom. She was a kind and wonderful person who taught me so much growing up. She took me in and she treated me as if I was part of your family. I hope you can all find comfort in the fact she made so much difference in so many people’s lives – including mine! I will miss her. Love you guys!
Tommie L. Richardson
I worked at Rochford & Assoc. for over 2 years. I saw Mary quite frequently and heard her voice many times on the phone. She was/is an amazing person – so giving and loving – so much humor. I pray the Peace of God will be with all the family who misses her so much but soon one day will be united. Be aware she is definitely with all of you this very moment. 😉
Tommie
Laura Voet Nolan
To all the Rochford family:
Your mom was a very special lady. It was fun as kids going to your home after mass on Sunday with Mom and Dad, she always made us feel welcome. Through the years, once I graduated from nursing school and started woking at St. Joes, it was nice to have your mom there. Sometimes I would visit her in the ER or in L&D when I was working with pregnant patients. She was a great resource and seemed to know the answer to anything you asked her about St. Joes. We sat next to each other in mass for years, EM’d together and had some interesting conversations in the “donut hall”. Walter let her know she was one of his favorite nurses, as he would ask her medical questions each weekend. She was great to help my mom when she was dying, taking her to dialysis when needed, or just being there with her. Mom will be excited to see her up in heaven. Our family has shared easter brunch together for years with your mom and dad and will definitely miss you mom’s presence. All of you are in my thoughts and prayers. I know your mom will be with all of you in spirit, to help you during this difficult time.
Carol Ann Simpkins
Dearest Family,
My memories of my Sister Mary began on December 22, 1945. Mary said I was the worst Christmas present she ever received. Our mother was in the hospital for 10 days.
We didn’t have television when we were young, but we would play killer games of Jax and did a lot of coloring. I always had to color upside down, as Mary picked the picture. We had a lot of fun.
Mary moved to Phoenix for nursing school and would come home for visits on weekends. One time she decided she would pluck my “Bert” eyebrows. I was thrown on the bed. She sat in the middle of me ignoring all my screams of pain and “plucked my Bert.”
My first wedding I ever attended was Mary’s . She was a beautiful bride and Dick a handsome groom. The fairy tale lasted 51 years.
My nieces and nephews are very dear to me, as I was always there to care for them as each addiditon arrived.
Mary was a good mother. I learned from her. I figured she had 6 children, my 3 would be a snap! Mary was my ROCK.
I had the privledge of being at Mary’s side as she left this world. I kissed her forehead and told her I loved her, that she is the sister of my heart and when she got to heaven that our Mother would be there waiting for her. Give her a kiss and hug her for me.
I asked Father Alonza if heaven looked like Ireland and he said, “In Mary’s eyes, Yes.”
My oldest son Jim and his wife Kim came to see “Auntie Meese” at hospice. He kissed her forehead and said he loved her. She opened her eye ever so slightly.
I believe Mary influenced my sons to be compassionate paramedics.
Jody said Auntie Mary is the “Burkenstock Speed Queen”, fast cars and every pair of Burkenstocks ever made.
My nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews are strong and they will keep Mary’s memory alive.
God Bless them All.
Salpointe Catholic High School, Tucson, AZ
The Salpointe Catholic High School community extends deepest sympathy to Mary’s family and friends. You are in our prayers. We hope you are comforted by happy memories.
Gerry Nolan
Please accept my sympathy on the loss of your beloved Mary.
May God bless you and give you solace.