Susan P. McAuliffe

STANDISH – Susan P. McAuliffe, 79, of Standish, left this world peacefully and full of faith, to be forever with her husband on Tuesday March 18, 2025. Her family was by her side.

She was born Oct. 1, 1945, in Hartford, Conn., the daughter of Alfred B. and Betty Lou (Bates) Roch, Jr. Her life was, by her own account, a great life. She grew up in the front yard of a farm in Bloomfield, Conn., swinging on swings and jumping over fences – always maintaining that she had the best childhood ever. She graduated from Bloomfield High School in 1963 and then secretarial school in Hartford, Conn.

One day, Bill McAuliffe, who had just returned from overseas duty, went through her checkout line at the grocery store. He asked her out on a date. That was that. On Nov. 28, 1965, they married at St. Timothy’s Catholic Church in Bloomfield, Conn. and began their life together. Soon, son, Bill and daughter, Stacey joined them as they moved from Connecticut to communities in Rhode Island and Maine, finally settling in Standish, where she thought he took her to the end of the world.

Sue began a career at Saint Joseph’s College – right down the street – so she could be home soon after the school bus arrived. She cherished her memories from Saint Joe’s and the friends she made. She loved her job as secretary in the development office, keeping in touch with so many alumni to this day. Sue divided her time working, taking care of her husband, and being the quintessential grandmother to her seven grandchildren with ice cream outings and weekend sleepovers. In 2013, she was awarded the Catherine McAuley Lifetime Achievement Award from SJC, given to those who embody service, compassion and social justice, which mirror the values of Catherine McAuley.

Sue was predeceased by her husband, BIll McAuliffel; her brother, Brad Roch; and her parents, Alfred and Betty Roch.

She is survived by her son, Bill McAuliffe, his wife, Wendy, their children Braden, Adam, Owen and Addyson; and her daughter, Stacey Yavarone, her husband, Paul, and grandchildren, Kathryn Brence and her husband Jack, Patrick O’Donoghue and Jack O’Donoghue. She leaves her brother, Doug Roch and his wife Karen, her sister, Debbie Wild and her husband Gordon. She also leaves many nieces and nephews and cousins she loved dearly. She leaves her friends that she went to lunch with and laughed with.

Sue was the brightest of lights, even when they may have looked dim to others. She found the good in all and never complained but rather always looked at life with a sense of awe and positivity. She would look up and comment on the grace of the moving clouds, the formation and wonder of the flying birds, or the pure beauty of the sky’s color.

There will be a funeral mass on June 26, at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, in Windham. A private interment will be at Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery, in Springvale.

To express condolences or to participate in Sue’s online tribute, please visit

http://www.dolbyblaissegee.com.

In lieu of flowers,

please consider donations in her memory to:

St. Joseph’s College

Standish, Maine