Mary Roe

Mary Ann Roe, 86

Mary Ann Roe passed away peacefully at home on Feb. 1, 2018. She was born to Charles and Cleone (Bennent) Holecek, in Breckenridge, Minn., Dec. 29, 1931. It wasn’t long after that the family trekked its way in the old Model A and ventured toward the west, settling in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.

Mary Ann grew up in the lovely home that her father built on the corner of Fourth and Young, and spent as much time as she could down at Sanders Beach in the water or ice skating on the lake when it froze over. She graduated from Coeur d’Alene High School in 1949.

Mary Ann’s free-spirit was allowed to explore the world, and explore she did! Being tall, tan and armed with a gregarious personality, Mary Ann left Coeur d’Alene for places like Wallace, Yakima and even San Francisco looking for adventure. She worked as a waitress, bartender or hostess everywhere she went and was quickly put into management positions due to her strong work ethic and ability to deal with difficult situations and people.

It was in Lewiston, ldaho, that she met the love of her life. Although they both told different sides to the story as to who chased whom, knowing Mary Ann, she fell for Homer Roe and chased him until he gave in to her. She even showed up in Headquarters, ldaho, where Homer was working as a lumberjack! They were married Nov. 29, 1953, at the Hitching Post and returned to Lewiston, where Homer started working for Holsum Bakery. They remained in Lewiston, where she worked for many years in management at the Lewis Clark Hotel. They had two daughters, Sandra Ann, and Susan Lynn. They also raised their oldest granddaughter, Sharon, from the time she was 2 years old. Mary Ann had an incredible bond with her girls throughout her life and she was always willing to do anything and everything for them.

1978 was the year Holsum closed the Lewiston bakery and Homer transferred to the Snyder’s Bakery in Spokane, Wash. Years before, Mary Ann had bought a little house in Coeur d’Alene from her father on 16th Street across from the four houses he had built. That home is where they lived out their days. Mary Ann continued to work in restaurants and spent many years at the Chuckwagon. After their closing, she worked at the Cove Bowl and the 1210 Tavern. Her laugh and quick wit made her someone you would never forget and she had a beloved customer following.

Homer died in 1993 and Mary Ann again found her free-spirit and traveled. She found herself in Fairbanks, Alaska, for a few years, then returned to Coeur d’Alene after the death of her step-father, John “Big John” Noble. She didn’t stick around long and set off again for smaller adventures. She made it to New Zealand and Australia, lreland and even Hawaii. After Sandra moved to Florida, she made sure to go and visit there, too.

The death of her daughter, Susan, in 2015, left her feeling empty. It was as if the spark had burned out of her eyes. Her larger-than-life personality faded and so too did her health. Her daughter, Sandra, has been an angel and hasn’t left Mary Ann’s side since her illness worsened. It allowed Mary Ann to pass peacefully at home, as was her wish.

Mary Ann was preceded in death by damn near everyone. “I’ve outlived them all.” She is preceded by her parents; brother, Charles “Chuck”; husband, Homer (age 65); grandson, Wayne (age 19); daughter, Susan (age 57) and beloved son-in-law, Garland (age 51). She didn’t get us all though. Her daughter, Sandra; granddaughter, Sharon Lind and her husband, Joe and granddaughter, Shannon Ulbredtch; along with her husband, John and grandson, Jasper survive her.

Mary Ann was so thankful to all of the guys at the Coeur d’Alene Fire Department for all the comfort and support they gave when dealing with her many injuries and illnesses, especially the bedtime story that Matt Sowa was so kind to tell her. She passed believing that she holds the Coeur d’Alene record for “most falls of an elderly lady.” It made her proud.

No services will take place, but in her honor and her love for animals, please donate to the Kootenai Humane Society.

The family would like to thank Crest Hospice, especially the kind care from Nurse Cheryl, and the Coeur d’Alene Fire department for all the help over the years. Your support will never be forgotten.