“She’s very hard-working,” one person says, “I don’t know where she gets all her energy. She’s very kind and gracious — she has a way of soothing people.” “She’s always going,” says another. She’s a natural-born leader. If I could just give one word to describe her, it would be ‘enthusiasm.’ “She really has a knack for getting along with people,” a third remarks, “and she’s a very hard worker.”
All these people are describing one person, Susan Roach, of 6106 Kingsbury Ave. She is, by popular consent, surely “the most dedicated woman in this neighborhood.” And certainly one of the most versatile. Just a glimpse at some of her activities will show why.
The primary topic of this issue of The Paper, the Art Fair, was the brainchild of Mrs. Roach. Started in 1967, the Art Fair was first held in the St. Roch’s church parking lot. That first year saw a modest 36 entries, but the idea caught on. The next year, the size and scope of the Fair were enlarged when it was moved to the 6100 block of Kingsbury. In subsequent years, the House Tour was added and the Fair became even more smooth-running and professional. But Susan Roach’s basic idea had not changed: the Fair is an excellent way to “show off” our neighborhood at its very best.
The Residential Service was another of Mrs. Roach’s neighborhood projects. Co-founded in 1970 by her and Patricia Kohn, who both became licensed real estate agents, the service was intended to fill the gap of certain real estate companies, which, the women felt, were not properly representing the neighborhood. Over the years, the Residential Service has played a number of vital roles ranging from the listing and showing of houses for sale to beautification projects.
Both the Art Fair and the Residential Service may seem like enough to keep anyone permanently busy — anyone, perhaps, except Susan Roach. Consider the following list activities in which she is involved (and by the time this article goes to print, there may be more!): Mrs. Roach is a self-proclaimed Stripper-of-Wood, first from the entire ground floor of her own house, and now from a house she is rehabilitating on Westminister. She is an avid sportswoman who at varying times has played or is playing volleyball and women’s softball. She’s also, I’m told, an excellent swimmer and, true to her multi-faceted personality, she has in past years even dabbled in ballet. Susan Roach has taught children’s art classes at St. Roch’s, organized card parties, school picnics, she’s a sharpeyed Block-watcher —wherever there’s a neighborhood activity, Mrs. Roach is sure to be in the middle of it. Mrs. Roach is also a devoted mother of three children: Elizabeth, Rebecca and Taulby. She is also accomplished in all the “domestic” arts. She is a devoted wife and campaigner. Her husband, John, is the neighborhood’s alderman and his own political success has in large part been due to the diligence of his “campaignmanager” wife.
All these things are very well and good, but every silver lining has its cloud, and Mrs. Roach is no exception. All is not perfect with her. Sometimes things do go wrong. She once had a dog which had uncontrollable urges to visit the St. Louis Zoo. Needless to say, Mrs. Roach was neither unfamiliar nor unwelcome to the Zoo officials who were only too happy to return her dog, who was, incidentally, perhaps the first animal who ever tried to break into the Zoo. He may well have succeeded, for I am told that the dog was lost by the Roach family some years ago.
Mrs. Roach has also been a victim of crime. Or perhaps that sentence is backwards, for she has an uncanny knack, when assaulted by pursesnatchers, of turning the criminal into the victim. Once, as Mrs. Roach was descending the steps of Grace Church after a play rehersal, a boy (about three times Mrs. Roach’s size) grabbed her purse. Susan Roach would, however, not let go. She was infuriated. She yelled. She screamed. The culprit finally got away, but not before Mrs. Roach, calling out “Bang, Bang!” had “shot” him twice with her fingers simulating a pistol.
So there you have it: Susan Roach organizer, artist, sportswoman, politician, wife, mother, policewoman, dogowner. That’s quite a mouthful, but then, she’s quite a woman.
People are saying that our neighborhood is “coming back,” that it’s a nice place to live in. It’s people like Susan Roach who are making it happen.
Original photograph caption
Susan Roach. The Paper, May1975,page3. Photographer not credited.
Originally published in The Paper, May 1975.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1975_05.pdf, printed page(s) 3; PDF page(s) 3.
