Lu-Ann left us late on January 4th—in peace and surrounded by family at her home on Vashon Island.
She was born on September 17th, 1961 in Springfield, Massachusetts, to Lou and Eileen Branch. Lu-Ann spent most of her formative years growing up in Orlando, Florida where she was deeply involved in the First Presbyterian Church. She went on to earn a Bachelor’s Degree from Clemson University and a Master’s Degree in International Finance from the Thunderbird School of International Business. Her career spanned serving as a Program Manager at the University of Washington to the Chief Operating Officer for the Delta Society to a Project Manager at Microsoft to providing coaching services to triathletes.
Lu-Ann lived in Germany, Oklahoma, and Arizona and eventually settled in the Pacific Northwest. Washington State quickly became her long-term home, specifically Vashon Island. There she enjoyed the great outdoors, pets who needed homes, great friends, the Unitarian Fellowship, serving as a Park District Commissioner, and most of all, becoming a mother. She would tell you that adopting and raising her children, Rebecca Roecks and Brandon Branch, with husband Eric Roecks was her greatest life accomplishment.
In addition to Eric, Rebecca, and Brandon, she leaves behind mother Eileen Branch, sister Linda Finch, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Lu-Ann touched so many people over her 57 years of life, cementing a rich and inspiring legacy of fierce independence, meaningful relationships, and a deep sense of challenge — be it physical or intellectual.
She also loved a good party. Join us for one in her honor and celebrate her life with some fun and sharing, great gourmet food, craft beverages, and a live dance band:
An Evening Celebrating One Cool Woman
Saturday Night, January 26th, 2019 • Vashon, Washington.
Please RSVP by January 16th to either celebrateonecoolwoman@gmail.com or (206) 972-4507 and we will pass along the details.
The family wishes to thank the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, the Providence Hospice Team on Vashon, and the Vashon Care Network for their exceptional service.
Please visit our online guest book at www.islandfuneral.com.
