FITCHBURG - Ellen Sue Roche passed away on August 29, 2025, after suffering through a severe hemorrhagic stroke at the age of 66, then diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease at the age of 69, and most recently, a series of debilitating brain seizures.

Ellen was married to William S. Roche for 38 years. She was the daughter of the late Roy and Shirley McEvilly, born on January 18, 1956. She was the younger sister to Kathy, Mike and Dan. Ellen loved life, she fully applied herself to all she did and succeeded at literally everything she tried. She was a good friend and confidant to all who knew her. She had an innate ability to understand and empathize with all those with whom she came in contact.

As a realtor for First Weber for about 30 years, Ellen successfully retired as an Associate Vice President there and went on to work as a realtor with her husband's company, before her stroke. She knew her clients and their needs well and loved the challenge of finding the right property for them. And they loved her!

Ellen prided herself on donating blood to the Red Cross, volunteering at the Veterans Hospital until the Covid epidemic excluded those opportunities, and after her stroke, she volunteered in the University Hospital Neurology unit with her sister, giving survivors of strokes and other brain diseases and injuries, hope for survival and empowerment of self. Together with her husband, Bill, she had recently started volunteering at Encompass, a rehab hospital in Fitchburg, as another way to help folks. She elected to be an Organ Donor, and there are several recipients who will get a new chance at life, thanks to Ellen!

Throughout her life, Ellen was a strong 'doer.' She was the instigator, the party girl, the one who spoke for many, and we all loved her for it! She stayed in touch with numerous high school and other friends, her many realtor friends, softball team members, golfing buddies, the Deep End Divas, her pseudo "son" Jeff and his wife, Katy, the therapy group folks, and so, so many people! She remembered names, places, and events as if just yesterday. It was difficult watching her memory deteriorate in the last few years, and yet she still maintained the 'can do,' accepting attitude that had been her life's motto.

Ellen had a strong Lutheran faith, though she questioned some things. Most recently she was baptized into the Mount Zion Baptist Church, and loved attending, singing, getting to know new people, and hearing the words of God. She and her good friend, Beth, had a front row seat each Sunday!

Ellen is survived by her loving husband, Bill; her siblings, Kathy (Bob) Rounds, Mike (Barb) McEvilly and Dan McEvilly; her sisters-in-law, Patty (Ron) Wood and Teresa Roche; and her former sister-in-law, Kim. Thanks to her many best friends, Becky, Nancy, Deb, Judy, Toni, Rhonda, Sally, Rhea, Nanner, Don, MacKenzy and Alex; Beth and the other Divas; and many, many others - you know who you are! Thank you for pitching in and helping to keep Ellen close, especially in the recent past, and with your prayers and happy thoughts! Her caregiver, Diann, was so special to Ellen. Ellen is further survived by many nieces and nephews, Michael, Becky, Molly, Luke, Matt, Sara, Erin and James Wood and their families; many cousins, her best dog buddy, Reacher; and her wonderful neighbors. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Shirley McEvilly, and will now share a gravesite with them.

A memorial service will be held at MOUNT ZION BAPTIST CHURCH, 2019 Fisher St., Madison, at 12 noon on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, with a luncheon to follow at church. A private family burial will follow the church service. A visitation will be held at GUNDERSON FITCHBURG FUNERAL AND CREMATION CARE, 2950 Chapel Valley Road, Fitchburg, from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, and also at the church from 11 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday. Bill says "Jamaican wear" is appropriate (she was there 26 times!).

Ellen would love it if you donated to the University of Wisconsin Foundation - Neurology Research and Education Fund (secure.supportuw.org) in her memory, or to a charity of your choice. Thank you!

To her many doctors and nurses at St. Mary's Hospital - you are all so caring and thoughtful, and at the end, you took the best care possible of Ellen - we thank you. Special thanks to the many representatives of Mount Zion Baptist Church, who visited and prayed with and for Ellen, and for all of us, as we traveled this incredible, final journey with her.

Ellen, we all have great memories! Wife, sister, aunt, friend, volunteer, blood and organ donor ... we love you, we miss you, and we want you to rest in peace for all eternity.

Online condolences may be made at www.gundersonfh.com.

Gunderson Fitchburg
Funeral & Cremation Care
2950 Chapel Valley Road
(608) 442-5002

Ellen Sue Roche

January 18, 1956 - August 29, 2025

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