Obituary of Maryanne Roeder

Mary Anne Roeder, 62, of Roslyn Heights, NYpassed away on September 27, 2017 in Rochester, Minnesota. She is lovingly survived by her daughter Kristen Roeder Petrillose of Bedford, NY (Anthony); sisters Jane Roeder of Long Beach, CA; Nancy Zolezzi of East Williston, NY (Joe); Carol Roeder of Bell Canyon, CA (Dudley);brother John Roeder of Louisville, KY (Michelle); nieces Maria, Ashley, Lauren, Claire; nephews Joe, Sean, Nick, Travis, Van, Jack, Charlie; and grandchildren Elsa and Joseph.

Graduating from The Wheatley School in 1972, Mary was originally in the Class of 1973 but doubled-up her class work during her junior/senior year to graduate a year early. Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Adelphi University with majors in History and Education in 1987 and a Master of Science, also from Adelphi, in Teaching English as a Second Language in 1996, while teaching third grade at PS 157 Grove Hill Elementary in the Bronx. With a life-long passion for education, Mary most recently tutored the child of her apartment neighbors and wasenrolled inCreative Writing, Beginning Arabic, and Leadership classesat Rochester Community and Technical College.

Mary was an avid fan of cats, Russian arts, languages, and, of course, teaching–especially teaching children how to read–but her ultimate love was for her family. When her daughter Kristen was born, a beautiful thread of unconditional love was woven throughout four generations. This thread would flower to become a beautiful tapestry throughout the large but close-knit Roeder-White family, including cousins, extended family, and neighborhood friends. 

Family and friends may visit Weigand Brothers Funeral Home, 49 Hillside Avenue, Williston Park, NY 11596 from 4-9 pm on Friday, November 3 and Nassau Knolls, 500 Port Washington Blvd, Port Washington, NY 11050 starting at 10:30 am on Saturday, November 4.In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to PS 157 Grove Hill Elementary in the Bronx. Donations will go directly to classroom projects that need funding at the link: https://www.donorschoose.org/school/ps-157-grove-hill/506/?teachers=true.
 — with Jane Roeder, Maria Christina, Kristen Roeder, John Roeder and Carol Roeder.