Jane Loel Roach

Jane Loel Burleson Roach died Sunday, December 8, 2019, in her home after a long illness. Friends and relatives are invited to attend a Visitation at Lake Lawn Funeral Home, 5100 Pontchartrain Blvd. in New Orleans on Monday, December 16, 2019, beginning at 9:00 a.m. with services immediately following at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Springfield Cemetery in Springfield.

Mrs. Roach was born Jane Loel Burleson on September 3, 1930 in Brady TX to Thomas Burleson and Eloise Kyle Burleson. She obtained a degree in psychology from the University of New Hampshire in 1949. She met and married John Roach in Austin TX in 1950. They had 3 children before moving to New Orleans in 1963.

Mrs. Roach was a pioneer in the treatment of addictions. She was on the team that started the first inpatient treatment center at Charity Hospital in 1972. She was also on the team that started the substance use unit at DuPaul Hospital. Mr. and Mrs. Roach founded New Freedom Institute, an outpatient treatment center that was the first of its kind in southeast Louisiana, in 1981.

Mrs. Roach entered private practice, providing counseling services in Metairie in 1999. She re-located her practice to Ponchatoula in 2018 prior to retiring at the age of 88. Mrs. Roach has helped thousands of people regain their lives, obtain sobriety, and gain the skills necessary to lead productive lives.

Mrs. Roach is survived by her children, James Roach (Kathryn), Daniel Roach (Laura), and Nancy Hughes (Gregory), 6 grandchildren, Jared, Ashley, K.C., Madison, Bryan, and Meghann, as well as 11 great-grandchildren. She was pre-deceased by her husband of 59 years, John Roach, her parents, her step-father Wilbur Black, and her sister Jennifer Black.

The family invites you to share your thoughts, fond memories, and condolences online at www.lakelawnmetairie.com