Marsha Kay Rocha (Jodie), 44, passed away Tuesday, May 6th, 2025, at 6:45am at Truman Medical Center. Marsha was born April 7th, 1981 in Kansas City, Kansas.
Marsha didn't start speaking until she was 4 years old. Her mother took her to the doctor, who said, "she can hear, she just doesn't have anything to say because her older sister (Katina) speaks for her."
During her pregnancy with Santina, she had a constant craving for pickles from Ricky's BBQ, black olives, Swiss cheese slices, and oranges. She could tell if the pickles didn't come from Ricky's.
Marsha enjoyed putting highlights in peoples' hair, improving her green thumb, trying different food in restaurants and experimenting with her own cooking. She loved a variety of music from Bone Thugs to Patsy Cline. Decorating for parties or home and gift-giving brought her joy. She was a big Miami Dolphins fan, especially of Dan Marino.
Marsha loved to foster dogs. She traveled to Ottawa to rescue a dog, (Iggy) who was set to be put to sleep for being a pit bull. She adopted Iggy as well as several other dogs over the years. She advocated for pit bulls' rights to live and be legal to own. She also loved cats and owned many over the years.
Marsha had been working as a call center representative for the University of Kansas Hospital for the past 8 years. She had worked in other medical offices and was known for forming a strong community at Walmart where she worked for many years.
Marsha is survived by her daughter, Santina Hernandez, Santina's father Mark Hernandez, her mother, Glenette Saunders, father Greg Saunders, sister Katina Rocha, sisters Jennifer Bray, Toni Nunez, Brittnie Saunders, two nieces, four nephews, two great nieces and one great nephew.
She is preceded in death by her grandfather, Glenn Luder (1982), her uncle Robert Rocha (1999), grandfather Jose Rocha (2001), father Joseph Rocha (2001), and her grandmother Phyllis Rocha (2008).
Also preceded in death by three cats,
Thumblina, Tinkerbell, Selena, and four dogs, Tyson, Sugarbear, Iggy and Missy.
The visitation will be at 10:00 am followed by the Funeral Service at 11:00 am on Friday, May 16th, at Porter Funeral Home, 1835 Minnesota Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. Entombment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
" I know I’m just a Eeyore but
If you feel sad, l'll be your smile.
If you cry, I'll be your comfort
And if someone breaks your heart, we can use mine to live
I’ll always be by your side”
- Your Eeyore