Mrs Mary Frances Nassif Roueche

Mrs. Mary Frances Nassif Roueche passed away peacefully January 9th, 2015 after a short period of declining health. She was a first generation born in the United States on December 29, 1923 to Lebanese parents, Frank Nassif and Jana Reizck Nassif. She married Peter David Roueche, Sr. in 1947 and together they raised three sons. She is survived by her sons Peter David Roueche, Jr. (Barbara) of Salisbury; Jon Terrance Roueche (Caroline) of Rock Hill, SC. and Frank Anthony Roueche of Salisbury. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Wendy Roueche of Salisbury, Sara Roueche Dulski of Huntersville, Elizabeth Roueche Williams of Rock Hill, SC, Jon Terrance Roueche, Jr. of Charlotte, Mary Virginia Roueche Allen of Charleston, SC, and Lee Frances Roueche of Philadelphia, PA. She leaves a legacy of seven great-grandchildren, Mary Frances and Rachel Anne McCullough of Salisbury, John and Jane Dulski of Huntersville, Benjamin Williams of Rock Hill, SC, and Virginia and Ella Allen of Charleston, SC. She is also survived by her sisters Margaret Nassif Baddour of Jackson, TN and Elizabeth Nassif Koury (Bill) of Mooresville, NC and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband who died December 1, 1993 and her brother Fred Ayash, Jr., in 2005. Mary Frances’ life is best characterized by her faith in the Roman Catholic Church and devotion to Sacred Heart Catholic Church. She attended daily Mass and was a charter member of Catholic Daughters Court #1759. She was named Catholic Woman of the Year several times. Mary Frances began singing in the choir at the age of ten years old. Music and the church choir were her passions. She was a mezzo soprano and studied under Miss Grace Goodykoontz in the 1930’s and became a soloist at the age of 15. She was the choir director and organist for nearly three decades at Sacred Heart and was also a charter member of The Concert Choir, founded in 1976. Her induction into the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem in 2001 by Cardinal McCarrick, Archbishop of Washington D.C., was the culmination of her years of dedication. She was most at home in the kitchen cooking and passing on the Lebanese culture and traditions to her family. She cooked for the Rotary for 20 years and they honored her in 1992 as an honorary lifelong member for her service. Mary Frances was a graduate of Boyden High School and worked her early years as a hair dresser. Later she worked at Rowan Memorial Hospital in the hospitality shop and managed the gift shop for the Women’s Auxiliary. Visitation will be Sunday January 11, 2015 from 6 – 8 pm at Summersett Funeral Home. Rite of Christian Burial Mass will be celebrated Monday at 11am at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with burial to follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery. The family will receive friends following at the home of David and Barbara Roueche in Salisbury. Memorials can be made to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 375 Lumen Christi Lane, Salisbury, NC 28147. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Roueche family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome.com.

Mrs Mary Frances Nassif Roueche

December 29, 1923 - January 9, 2015