Local obituary: Lara Roche, 39, Milton mother of 3 who worked at Yahoo

Lara M. (Sarmanian) Roche, just 39 years old, of Milton, Massachusetts, formerly of Stoneham, passed away on Easter Sunday, surrounded by her loving family and devoted friends, after a courageous battle with cancer.

Lara felt like home to so many. She had a rare gift for making everyone in her life feel like the only person in the world — so special, so seen, and so deeply loved. No one felt this more than her devoted husband, Kenneth Roche, and their three incredible children, Paige (9), Caroline (7), and Luke (4). While she excelled in every role — daughter, wife, friend, and colleague — being “Mom” was where her gifts truly shined. She cherished her children fiercely and turned ordinary moments into magic.

Born to Michael Sarmanian and the late Donna Sarmanian (who passed just seven years ago), Lara adored her family. She loved her parents and siblings, Jena and Michael Sarmanian, so much that she famously refused sleepovers as a child, never wanting to leave the joyful home they created. Years later, she recreated that same warmth and love in her own home.

A graduate of Bentley University, Lara formed lifelong friendships there that she treasured deeply. Intelligent, driven, and remarkably disciplined, she began her career at Yahoo right out of college, achieved her MBA at Suffolk while working full-time, and thrived at Yahoo for 18 years, becoming not only a trusted colleague but a respected and beloved friend.

Lara made everything she touched more beautiful. She loved decorating her home, hydrangeas, collecting elusive shells, planning beach vacations, curating the perfect country playlist, and choosing the most thoughtful gifts for those she loved.

She is survived by her husband Kenneth; children Paige, Caroline, and Luke; her father Michael Sarmanian; siblings Jena and Michael (Katie) Sarmanian; parents-in-law Brendan and Maureen Roche; sisters-in-law Kim Roche Johanson (David) and Krissy Roche (Brandon); and her cherished nieces and nephews Riley, Charlotte, Ashton, Caden, and Lily, whom she loved being “Auntie Lara” to. She leaves behind countless friends from every chapter of her life who were fortunate to be part of her world.

Passing on Easter Sunday felt like a profound blessing — a symbol of grace and a peaceful passage home. Lara herself was a profound blessing to all of us, embodying grace in every season of her life, even her final days.

Visiting hours were held in St. Elizabeth Church, Our Lady of the Visitation, located at 350 Reedsdale Road, Milton, MA, 02186, on Friday, April 10, 2026, from 3:00-8:00 PM, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Elizabeth Church on Saturday morning at 10 o’clock. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in honor of Lara to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute by using this link. Lara’s interment will be held in Milton Cemetery, 211 Centre St., Milton, MA 02186.

This local obituary is published via Legacy.com and John J. O’Connor & Son Funeral Home. Want a loved one’s obituary featured on Boston.com? Submit your obituary here, or email it to [email protected].