Agnes Marie Roche worked on education funding issues at the Washington State Office of the Attorney General in Seattle. She also volunteered as an English language tutor, assisted immigrants new to Seattle and earned a doctorate in multicultural education.

In 2000, Agnes bought a home in the Seattle Housing Authority’s NewHolly community to be closer to many of the immigrant families she had mentored and befriended. Her investment in that home helped pay for the care she needed before she passed away last December. SHA recently learned that as part of her remaining estate Agnes left $150,000 to SHA’s NewHolly Community Builders program, a legacy to support the community she loved and lived in for 18 years.

Agnes lived at NewHolly, then called Holly Park, as a toddler when her family relocated temporarily to Seattle from Coeur d’Alene, Idaho during the 1940’s. When Agnes returned to live at NewHolly as an adult, she became a beloved member of the community and developed close friendships with many of her neighbors.

“We were all new to this brand-new neighborhood,” recalls Jeff Lovern who, with his partner Nick Chicka, lived close to Agnes. “She got involved in helping the SHA residents. She was very considerate and thoughtful in her approach to things. We would help out but weren’t as involved as Agnes.”

Jeff remembers fondly when he, Nick and Agnes shared custody of an old white feral neighborhood cat they named Frederick the Great, or Freddy.  Another friend and neighbor Kay Lutz elaborated on Agnes’ love for cats.

“Agnes cared for cats through the Alley Cat Allies program,” Kay explained. “With her own money she would pay for cats to be spayed and neutered, she bought bowls and food and recruited neighborhood kids to help out with the feeding stations.”

Both neighbors remember Agnes most, however, for her compassion for fellow humans. “She was always helping neighbors and hard-working immigrant families when they needed help, providing assistance, friendship and food,” Kay said. “She was a very kind and generous person.”  “Agnes would step in and help watch kids in immigrant families when parents needed help,” Jeff remembers.

Kay and Jeff speak fondly of meals together in each other’s homes or neighborhood restaurants, and gatherings at Agnes’ home where she played piano for those assembled. “She was a fun neighbor,” Jeff said. “Just to stand on the sidewalk and talk about the latest things.” Her circle of NewHolly friends and neighbors was large. According to Jeff, “Everyone knew Agnes and vice versa.”

The NewHolly Community Builders program kindles the kind of community gatherings, relationships among neighbors and support for residents that Agnes so cared about.

“Agnes epitomized the social justice values we strive to model at SHA,” said SHA Executive Director Rod Brandon. “She gave so much to others who came to our country with very little, including her true respect and genuine friendship. Through her significant bequest, she is continuing to help the residents of NewHolly, many of whom are immigrants, benefit from community engagement and opportunities to improve their lives. We are deeply grateful to Agnes for her kindness and generosity.”

In addition to all her other community work, Agnes made time to share her considerable musical ability and was a volunteer organist for many parishes in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Agnes' piano was a gift to a NewHolly family with two young budding musicians struggling without a piano at home. 

Agnes’ music will live on at NewHolly, as will her compassionate and generous spirit.