Obituary: Joan Elizabeth Sweeney Rosch, 93, of Guilford

Obituary courtesy of Shoreline Cremation:

Joan Elizabeth Sweeney Rosch, 93, of Guilford, CT, loving mother, beloved grandmother, and great-grandmother passed away on December 30, 2023. Joan was born in New York City, NY on September 9, 1930, to the late John and Edith (Carney) Sweeney.

Upon graduation from Bay Ridge High School in Brooklyn, Joan began working in the banking industry in Manhattan and married Robert E. Rosch on September 25, 1954. Leaving banking after several years, Joan went on to have a long and distinguished career as Deputy Chief Clerk of the Rockland County Family Court, from which she retired in 1992.

Joan was an avid reader, especially of mysteries, legal thrillers, biographies, and her daily newspaper! She loved traveling, most notably enjoying her trips to London and to Ireland, the homeland of her ancestors. She loved animals and adopted several rescue cats and dogs throughout her life.

Joan often said that being a mother made her the happiest and she was a devoted mother, survived by her daughters Sue-Ann Rosch of Eastchester, NY, and Eleanor Bombalicki (David) of Branford, CT, as well as her son Robert E. Rosch, Jr., of East Haven, CT.

Being a grandmother, and in recent years, a great-grandmother, brought even greater joy to Joan. She is also survived by granddaughter Sara (Peter) Vallario, grandsons Mark (Meghan) Bombalicki, and Paul Manfredi, and her great-granddaughters Emily and Julia Vallario. She also leaves her foster daughter Kim Brennan (Phillip), and her cousins Jerry Carney (Ellen) and Peter Carney. She is pre-deceased by her brother, John Sweeney, Jr., and her son-in-law, Frank Manfredi, spouse of daughter Sue-Ann.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday, January 10, 2023, at 11:00AM at St. Mary Church, 731 Main Street, Branford, CT. Memorial contributions in Joan's name can be made to the Dan Cosgrove Animal Shelter (DCAS) in Branford, CT.