Mary Ann Roch

Mary Ann Roch, née Dockery, 91, of Hyattsville, Maryland, passed away peacefully on August 3rd, 2026. She was the cherished wife of Roger Ludovic Roch (originally from West Warwick, RI), who passed away on April 14th, 2020. Mary Ann was born on her family’s farm March 8th,1935, in Mascot, Tennessee. She was preceded in death by her late husband, Roger, and infant daughter Sandra Louise.

Mary Ann grew up with twelve brothers and sisters in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and had big dreams of leaving to become a plane stewardess, but her father discouraged the dangerous job. After meeting FBI recruiters at her high school, she turned her sites to going to Washington, DC. Her daddy said she had to wait until she was 21 to do that. In 1956, at the age of 21, she packed her suitcase and got on a bus to DC. She began her career in the Identification Section of the FBI, working under the watchful eye of J. Edgar Hoover. In the beginning she came home almost every weekend to see her family, departing on that bus after work on Friday and returning Sunday.

She met her late husband, Roger, a Metropolitan Police Officer, on a blind date in 1958 and was married on September 5th, 1960. Mary Ann continued to work until having what they thought to be their first child, and to their surprise, gave birth to a set of twins (Keith and Theresa) in May of 1962. Once their youngest (Nancy) was school-aged, she began working as a school “Cafeteria Lady” in the mid-70s until her first grandchild was born in 1983. She went on to become the before and after school and summer caregiver for all six of her grandchildren, while dad maintained his Monday through Friday golf membership at Glenn Dale Country Club! She adored caring for and especially rocking her grandbabies. She went on to be able to love and rock 11 great-grandchildren. Throughout the years she also watched a few of the neighborhood children.

Roger and Mary Ann bought their first and only home in 1962, where Mary Ann became the “eyes of Garrison Road” for 64 years. She was the original neighborhood watch commander. She had the perfect view of the popular neighborhood intersection and kept an eye on everything going on from her favorite recliner. One day she spotted a burglary in process and quickly called the police and witnessed them apprehending the intruder. One of the highlights of this career!

She was also a faithful member of Landover Hills Baptist Church, where she served for many years on the fellowship committee and countless other ministries. From growing up on a farm, Mary Ann had quite the green thumb and continued to garden all through her life. Friends and family appreciated the ample supply of fresh summer vegetables. Many would be surprised to hear that she also enjoyed trying her luck at slot machines.

She is survived by her siblings, Pat Dockery, Emma Howard, Robert Dockery, beloved brother-in-law Ray Diamond and other cherished family in Tennessee. She was a loving mother and leaves behind her four (4) children, Keith Roch, Theresa (Bill) Clarke, Janet (Joseph) Ficco, and Nancy Roch, her six (6) grandchildren, Bill (Lindsay) Clarke, Jamie (Chris) Pinkert, Mandy (Kevin) Welsch, Ryan (Cana) Roch, Tiffany Clarke, and Samantha Ficco, and her eleven (11) Great-Grandchildren, Daphne, Grayson and Caden Clarke, Riley and Shelby Pinkert, Rowen and Bria O’Neill, Selah and Emmy Welsch, and Dominic and Roman Roch.

There will be a gathering of family and friends at Gasch’s Funeral Home in Hyattsville, Maryland on Friday, August 7th from 6pm - 8pm. A private burial is planned for Saturday, August 8th at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Washington DC.