Judith E. Roche

PITTSBURG – Judith E. Roche, 75, of Pittsburg, died on Friday, June 21, 2024, at the Portsmouth Regional Hospital in Portsmouth, N.H., after complications from heart surgery. She was born on March 10, 1949, in West Stewartstown, a daughter to the late Wilfred and Nathalie Edith (Whitehill) Frizzell. A 1967 high honors graduate of Pittsburg High School, Judy lettered in cheerleading and basketball. She was best known throughout her life as “Sweet Pea” and spent over 25 years as a professional entertainer who sang while playing the guitar, piano, and bass pedal. In addition to her solo career, she led a full band for many years. While raising her daughters in Gorham, N.H., she worked at the popular “Pizza Shop” during the day before her nighttime gigs. She was a member of the Ladies’ Auxiliary of the American Legion Post #182 in Gorham. After moving permanently to her cabin in the woods in Clarksville, she worked as a secretary for the Town of Pittsburg for more than a decade. She took her civic duty very seriously, serving 13 years as a Clarksville Town Selectman and School Board member. She was the emcee for the Pittsburg Old Home Day for 15 years. Judy always had her guitar on-hand or country music playing on the closest speaker. In addition, she continued to share her love of music through volunteering to sing at the County Nursing Home with her “Witt Sisters.” Some phrases used to describe Judy include “full of life,” “hot ticket,” “a hoot,” and “a strong, independent woman.” She loved her daughters and grandchildren with all her heart. Judy was truly one-of-a-kind. She is survived by her two daughters, Tia Bergeron and husband Christopher of Pawley’s Island, S.C., and Karen Kidder-Prehemo of Clarksville; two sisters, Sally Masson and husband George of Canaan, and Cathy McComiskey of Pittsburg; her brother Roy Frizzell of Pittsburg; and three grandchildren, Mikayla Nawojczyk, Joseph Nawojczyk, and Spencer Prehemo; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Judy is predeceased by her husband, Raymond G. Roche in 2003; and two brothers, Peter Frizzell in 1969 and Bradley Frizzell in 2012. Calling hours will be on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook. A funeral will be held the next morning, Wed., June 26, at 11 a.m. at the Farnham Memorial United Methodist Church in Pittsburg, with her nephew, Major Ethan Frizzell, chaplain of the Salvation Army, officiating. Burial will immediately follow at the Indian Stream Cemetery in Pittsburg. Expressions of sympathy may be made to either the 45th Parallel EMS, Ramsey Rd. Colebrook, NH 03576; or to the Brown-Frizzell Memorial Scholarship Fund, c/o Trustees of Trust Funds, Town of Pittsburg, 1526 Main Street, Pittsburg, NH 03592. Condolences may be offered on-line by going to www.jenkinsnewman.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Jenkins & Newman Funeral Home in Colebrook.

Judith E. Roche

March 10, 1949 - June 21, 2024