Valleree Lynne Roach

Vallee C. and Lillian J. Rice received an amazing gift on June 3, 1954 when they were blessed with their first child, Valleree Lynne. She was born at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia. The family later moved to Wilmington and then to Newark, Delaware. She attended St. Paul Catholic School and graduated from Padua Academy. Lynne received her Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Delaware State College and Masters degree in Social Service Management from Bryn Mawr College. Lynne’s love for her family was unparalleled. She and George were married for 34 years and produced two children, Adrienne and Kenneth. They have one granddaughter, Lanai. Lynne supported her family in every endeavor, attending milestone events and other family functions of both the Rice and Roach clans, as well as those she “adopted” as family and affectionately called her “Auntie Lynne”. Many of her co-workers and clients have said that they felt a kinship to her because she treated them like family. Lynne was deeply spiritual, and her persona exuded the peace she found in God. Her parents raised her in the Catholic Church; however, when she married George in 1980, she joined his family church (Mt. Zion A.M.E.) and became involved in many aspects of the church. She participated in Women of Worship Bible Study, taught Sunday School and Vacation Bible School, presented children’s sermons, sang in the choir, served as Church School Superintendent, was a member of the Board of Christian Education, and was the Young Adult Advisor. Lynne founded Mt. Zion’s Nursery Ministry and assumed the responsibility for developing age-appropriate bible lessons and the training and supervision of the nursery staff. She chaired various committees, coordinated bus trips, and served as worship leader for many services. The church honored Lynne with the following awards: Mt. Zion Woman of the Year, Layperson of the Year, and the Mt. Zion Service Award. She also attended Standing in the Gap, a bible study group at Whatcoat United Methodist Church. She owned many bibles, but her favorite was the Serendipity Bible. Her favorite study tool was the Strong's Concordance. Valleree worked at Catholic Charities for 28 years, served as the Program Director of the Delaware Day Treatment Center for Young Children in Dover, and facilitated the opening of a second center in Georgetown. Valleree was currently employed as a therapist with Mind and Body Consortium. In every realm of her professional life, she touched the lives of her coworkers, her clients, and other colleagues in the field of social work. Valleree’s informative, creative and interactive presentations were well known and respected. Thus, she was sought after to spearhead and facilitate workshops throughout the state. Valleree also founded E.L.M. – End of Life Ministries, which provides bereaved families with Christian counsel and support. Lynne was inducted into the Epsilon Alpha (EA) Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. in 1975 while attending Delaware State College. As with all other endeavors in her life, she made a full commitment to the sisterhood. She served as chapter president for EA and Vice-President of Dover Alumnae. She served on a plethora of committees within Dover Alumnae including Impact Day, the Minerva Circle, Founders Day, and Project ACE. Lynne was a Golden Life Member and was dedicated to public service. She was most passionate about the committees that involved youth: Crimson & Cream Communicators, EMBODI, GEMS, and Delta Academy. Her sorors recognized her contributions by giving her the Delta of the Month Award and the SHERO Award. Lynne was nominated for the Dover Post Citizen of the Year Award and received the Who’s Who Award from the American Association of University Women. She was an active member of Toastmasters International and won many awards as a result of her placements in public speaking competitions. She facilitated many youth speaking programs and was overseer of four clubs in Delaware during her tenure as District Toastmaster. Lynne was an avid reader, always traveling with a book or her Kindle wherever she went. She was a member of the Literary Ladies Book Club. Her favorite place to read was at the beach. Lynne never let what some would deem a disABILITY get in her way. She was a breast cancer SURVIVOR and never complained about anything and found a way to do everything. Once she got her scooter, there was no stopping Ms. Lynne! The hatch of her minivan was not automatic, so Lynne rigged it with a piece of rubber that she could grab to pull the trunk down. This is a typical example of her creativity! Lynne gave us all courage and hope. When listening to those who called to offer their condolences and share their memories, the impact of Lynne’s magnanimous personality was evident. Some of the things that people said included: “absolutely a pillar and angel in our community”; “a wonderful person and a woman of God”; “dedicated and passionate”; “God has received someone who was dealt a hard hand and turned it into motivation for others”; “she was a special person, beautifully made, strong-minded, very independent, and it was a privilege to know and love her.” However, one word resonated over and over again - PHENOMENAL! Valleree Lynne is survived by her husband, George; children, Adrienne and Kenneth; granddaughter, Lanai; mother, Lillian J. Rice; two sisters, Raye Jones Avery (Warren) and Pamela Rice Montgomery (Luke), and one brother, Jeffrey L. Rice; mother-in-law, Caroline Stanley (Wilbert); three brothers-in-law, Leonard Roach (Buffy), Parker Roach (Daphne) and Joseph Roach (Carol); two sisters-in-law, Connie Guy (Bruce) and Thomina McIntyre (Dewitt); and a host of Godchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. She was preceded in death by her father, Vallee Rice and two siblings, Anthony and Lisa. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Valleree Lynne Roach, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.

Valleree Lynne Roach

June 3, 1954 - November 11, 2014