Merry Sue (Blair) Roarke
Merry Sue Roarke Obituary
ROARKE, Merry Sue, (Blair), 81, died Wednesday, July 25, 2018, peacefully in the presence of her husband of 59 years. A strong, sophisticated woman who always stood up for what she believed was right, she was one of a kind.
Born and raised in Wichita, Kansas, Merry Sue was the daughter of the late Flay Elgin Blair and Josie (Friend) Blair.
She was a graduate of Wichita State University, where she enjoyed her Delta Gamma sorority life above all else. While residing in Wichita, she met her husband Mike, a native of West Warwick, and went on to raise their five children in Cranston.
She was a tireless volunteer for many organizations including the Genesis Center, the Miss Rhode Island Scholarship Program, and the Cranston Board of Elections.
A fan of the arts, Merry Sue loved music, going to the theatre, and a good book. She also bowled, played tennis, and golfed with a competitive spirit.
Merry Sue was a long time communicant of Immaculate Conception Church where she faithfully served on the Rosary & Altar Sodality, as a Eucharistic minister, and CCD teacher.
Besides her husband, Michael T. Roarke, Merry Sue is survived by her five children: Susan Roarke, Thomas E. Roarke, Karen Roarke and her husband, Doug Cluff, Janet O’Connell and her husband, Patrick H. O’Connell and Kelly Jo Roarke. She leaves one sister, JoAnne Martin, of Alaska. She was the proud Grammy to Michael O’Connell, Cameron Cluff, Hailey O’Connell, and Brennan Cluff.
Her funeral will be held Tuesday, July 31, 2018 at 9:45 am from the PRATA-GALLOGLY Funeral Home, 78 Providence Street, West Warwick followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am in Immaculate Conception Church, 237 Garden Hills Dr., Cranston. Interment will be private. Visiting hours Monday 5:00-7:00 pm. In lieu of flowers, please consider an act of kindness or gift to your favorite charity. Information and condolences please visit: www.PrataGallogly.com
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Merry Sue (Blair) Roarke, please visit our floral store.
