Jeannie Inez Roach

On May 20, 2019 Jeannie Inez Robertson Roach passed on to Glory peacefully in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho with her daughter and son-in-law by her side.

Known for saying, “If it’s green and growing, I don’t eat it.”, Jeannie fought a long battle with diabetes and despite cheating death more than once, rarely complained. Jeannie lived by her own rules, paved her own way and, when told she couldn’t do something, did her best to prove otherwise! A force to be reckoned with, Jeannie lived more than most in her 73 years on earth.

Jeannie met the “love of her life” while still in high school. The cute Sailor named Alan Roach soon proposed before shipping off to Viet Nam. Jeannie became a devoted Navy wife and loving mother of two.

She held a variety of jobs over the years including being a payroll supervisor, tax preparer, REALTOR and office manager for who years later she learned was a mob boss! While working full time Jeannie attended Phoenix University, became an APA member, successful CPP, then taught payroll seminars in New York and Puerto Rico.

Jeannie volunteered at church, VBS, and many local organizations; was President of the VFW Ladies Auxiliary and a proud red-hat wearing member of the Red Hat Society.

She loved little dogs: Tiny was her first, the Chihuahua she carried to church in her purse as a teen; Shu Shu was her last, her feisty little Shih Tzu. In the 1980s she bred and showed champion Shelties.

Skilled at quilting, crochet, ceramics, scrapbooking, stamping, hat making (and much more), Jeannie was the queen of crafts who could seriously have opened her own store with all her supplies!

She left a LOT of stuff behind for her family, who have no idea what to do with it all. So if you’re looking for one extremely large TV from the 90s, 40+ pair of cheap reading glasses, a full set of worn 1980s lawn furniture, anything red & purple, or a motion activated rubber frog that croaks as you go by, we have a deal for you!

Known for sparkling hats, costume jewelry and randomly breaking into song, Jeannie had a contagious laugh, vivacious personality and made friends wherever she went. Jeannie was kind, generous and ready at the drop of a (red) hat for fun with her girlfriends.

She loved and treasured moments with family most of all. Our family Matriarch, she hosted holiday gatherings; Christmas being her FAVORITE! She decorated her home top to bottom (including Christmas toilet paper!) and baked enough sweets to feed an army! She taught us to celebrate Christ’s birth; make priceless, precious memories playing games and laughing with family; and that SHE was Yahtzee champion!

The loss of her husband last year was difficult for her. As her health declined, she often said she was ready to go home to be with Jesus and the family and friends she missed.

Jeannie leaves behind her daughter Michalle (Joe) Capelli, daughter-in-law Julie, grandchildren Justin (Bekie), Terry Jr. (Annalee), and Danielle, and great-grandchildren Jaylee and Ryan.

She’ll be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.

In heaven, Jeannie’s reunited with Alan, her loving husband of 54 years, son Terry, parents and brothers Bill, Virginia, Bill and Frank Robertson.  

Join us July 20 at 11AM as we celebrate Jeannie’s life at Living Waters Church in Clark Fork, Idaho, followed by lunch and sharing of love, laughter and stories at Clark Fork Senior Center. To honor her, please come dressed in something bright, tie-dyed, teal (her favorite color), glittery, sparkly, and/or red and purple – and please, wear your hats!  

A graveside service will be held at the Westport Cemetery in California on August 3.