Jude Roche

Jude Roche, poet laureate of Warwick passed away at home surrounded by her loved ones on Monday, May 8, 2017. She was 94 years young.
Jude lived in Warwick for more than 25 years. She was born in Albany in 1923 and shared 50 years with her beloved husband whom she affectionately referred to as “Dere.”
She had a long career as a copywriter but her true love was writing poetry and prose.
Over the last 20 years she published five books, and her latest, “Soliloquy,” was dedicated to Mayor Michael Newhard for the privilege of representing the Village of Warwick 2016-2017 as the poet laureate, which she considered one of the greatest honors of her life.
Jude’s heart broke when she lost her eldest daughter, Maggie, in January 2017, but left to honor her life and work are her surviving children: Terre, Suzzy and David; and her grandchildren Lucy, Oona, Gerard and Felix; as well as her sister-in-law Joan Jewell.
Jude loved her life in Warwick and was blest with the finest friends and neighbors in the world. There will be a gathering at 15 Aske St. in Warwick Grove on Thursday, May 18, from 6 to 9 p.m.

To A Purple Pen

Here goes a pen
which has written its
last words
and left its gentle imprint
on scores of poems,
messages to friends,
greeting cards,
grocery lists,
phone numbers,
memos and checks,
and to-do’s
that didn’t get done.

goodbye, friend.
I will miss you.
you wrote
your little heart out
for me.
- Jude Roche

Arrangements are under the direction of Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home in Warwick.
For further information or to send an online condolence, see www.lsvpmemorialhome.com.