Josephine M Roach

April 19, 1939 - February 7, 2022

Josephine Salas Roach, (82) passed away on February 7th, 2022, from complications of her heart and Alzheimer’s Disease. She was known as "Mama Roach", "Josie", or "Jo". She was born in Kansas City, KS on April 19th, 1939, to Cruz Salas and Delores Mendez Salas. She was a lifelong resident of the Argentine community in KCK. Among nine siblings, she was the fourth oldest, with five sisters and three brothers. Josephine graduated from Argentine High School in 1957. During her high school years, she worked at Spanish Gardens part-time. Work duties were something Josephine took pride in, she was hardworking. Despite being a single mother, she managed to make ends meet with the support of her beloved mother, who also helped raise her children. In 2004, she retired from Kansas Social Rehabilitation Services (SRS) after 22 years of service. She provided assistance to families in need through her work with the Fiscal Support unit, where she utilized her bilingualism. Jo loved life. As a grandmother, she enjoyed watching her grandkids grow, attending their sporting events, and celebrating their accomplishments. She loved sports. She was an avid Kansas City Chiefs fan. One of her favorite memories is receiving an autographed picture from all-time favorite player, Tony Gonzalez, along with his handwritten note. In addition, she enjoyed watching the Kansas Jayhawks and the Kansas City Royals. Jo enjoyed keeping busy. She enjoyed volunteering at the voting booths during election time and helping at Crosslines Retirement Center. During her spare time, Josephine enjoyed watching her novelas, socializing with others, and going on lunch and dinner dates with her children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces, nephews, and close friends. She spent time enjoying her retirement with her family on vacations and road trips. Jo was an individual with a unique personality. You could count on her to put you in your place, tell jokes, or simply make you laugh whenever she is around. She was known and loved for her feistiness. Josephine was preceded in death by her father and mother, Cruz Salas and Delores Mendez Salas. Her son, Johnny C. Roach, and her sister, Juanita Hernandez. Left to cherish her memory are her three children: Anthony Torres and his wife, Theresa; and grandchildren Catherine and Eric Torres. Her daughter Maria B. Rangel and her husband Alfred Rangel Sr. grandchildren: Alfred Jr., Christina, and Michael and Gabriel Rangel. Grandchildren, Matthew and Kelsie Roach, children of Shanin Milner and Johnnie C. Roach (son), died on November 27th, 2021. Son, Steven Roach, grandchildren Rachel, Tanner, and Nolan Roach, and two great-grandchildren. There are four sisters she leaves behind: Beatrice Ramirez, Grace Hernandez, Mary Villegas, and Carolina LeDesma. Three brothers: Jessie Rios, Joe (Pat) Maya, and Gene (Kathy) Maya. As well as many nieces, nephews, close friends, and extended family. Maple Hill Funeral Home will hold a visitation on Monday, February 21st, 2022, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm. Father John Cordes will celebrate a Christian Burial Mass on Tuesday, February 22nd at 11:00 a.m. at St. John's Evangelist Catholic Church in Kansas City, Kansas. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to the I Am Dom Foundation by visiting iamdom.org. P.O. BOX 513 Mission, KS 66201. Thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff of the Kansas Health System (Cardiology Unit), Shawnee Gardens Healthcare & Rehab Center, and some of her close friends at Crosslines Retirement Center for their constant guidance, support, and care during her stay. The family is asking for people to wear mask for the visitation and for the funeral.