Gay T. LaRoche

Gay T. (Olsen) LaRoche, 67, of Lexington, KY, formerly of Manchester, passed away in Lexington on January 1, 2025, surrounded by her husband and children after a five-year battle with Breast Cancer. 

She was born on May 13, 1957, in Manchester, the daughter of the late Henry and Rose Olsen. Gay graduated from Manchester Central High School and earned an associate’s degree in business at Southern New Hampshire University later in life.

For 48½ years (54 years altogether), Gay shared a beautiful marriage with her beloved husband, Peter, setting an example of enduring love and partnership for their family. Together, they built a legacy that continues through their children, Cassandra and Joshua. Gay’s greatest joy came from her role as grandmother to her two cherished grandsons, who brought immense happiness and adventure. She delighted in family gatherings where her personality and laughter brought everyone enjoyment. 

Gay enjoyed a diverse professional career, starting with a short commitment in the United States Army. During Peter and Gay’s ten plus years in the Army they lived in Okinawa, Maryland, and Germany. In Okinawa, Gay was actively involved in a Girl Scout Organization referred to as Troops on Foreign Soil (TOFS). She then progressed to be a leader as an Assistant Manager at Burger King and rounded out her career in the banking and mortgage industry.

Upon Gay’s diagnosis, her thirst for travel sparked, created a bucket list, and successfully traveled to Key West along with several Florida beaches, Walt Disney World, and the Grand Canyon. A weekend in St. Louis to visit the Arch, Budweiser Clydesdales, and a Cardinal’s baseball game. Most recently Gay and Peter visited several Midwest states to see among other things, Mount Rushmore, Field of Dreams, Crazy Horse, and Devils Tower. Gay’s most favorite place to visit was Johnstown, NY to watch her grandson Jaxon play football, basketball, and baseball where she was known as Memere to everyone she met.

Gay always puts her family and friends first; she will be remembered as a loving and devoted mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Those who knew her will never forget her warmth, kindness, laughter, and her incredible inspiration to live your life to the fullest. She will be deeply missed and her memory held dear.

She is survived by her husband Peter LaRoche; her daughter, Cassandra Kelso and her husband, Kevin of Johnstown, NY; a son Joshua LaRoche of Lexington, KY; grandsons, Jaxon Kelso and Landon LaRoche; two brothers, John Olsen (late wife Linda) and Peter Olsen and his wife Kelly; a sister, Nancy Dery and her husband Ron. Gay cherished all her nieces/nephews, great nieces/nephews, cousins, and countless friends she met throughout her 67 years of life. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Richard Olsen. 

The family would like to give a special thank you to the staff at Baptist Health Cancer Care Center and ICU/Hospice for all their care, compassion and support throughout this challenging time.

A memorial gathering will be held on Friday, January 10th from 10:00am to 12:00pm at Phaneuf Funeral Home & Crematorium, 243 Hanover Street in Manchester. A Memorial Service will follow at 12 PM in the funeral home. Family and friends are kindly invited to attend. Gay will be interred at the New Hampshire State Veteran Cemetery privately at a later date. Despite struggling with cancer as an adult, Gay held a special place in her heart for children at Saint Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. In memory of Gay, contributions may be sent to St Jude’s at www.stjude.org/. To view an online tribute, send condolences to the family, or for more information, visit www.phaneuf.net