I found out this morning that a staff member at my old high school passed away last night. She wasn’t a teacher or a part of the administration, she worked in the cafeteria. Debi Roca was a staple at Martin Luther High School in Greendale, Wis. Whether you were getting a bite to eat before class in the morning or getting your lunch in the afternoon, she was the reason you ate your Lotza Motza (only a true ML Spartan would understand).
For me, she was the reason every morning started out so great. Martin Luther had a french vanilla cappuccino machine. This was the best cappuccino, and it only cost a couple quarters. Whenever she saw me walk through the cafeteria doors, she would begin making my usual cup. Every now and again I would get a pop tart to go along with it, but it was the cup of cappuccino that built my relationship with Mrs. Roca.
She would have loyal customer days in which she would give her usual customers their “usuals” for free that day. I remember one time when the machine wasn’t working, and Roca had gone to the nearby store and bought cappuccino mix just so the loyal few, like me, could have their usual morning cup. I’m not sure how many people can say they had that type of quality in their cafeteria, and I am thankful I did.
Now that she has passed, I know that she has gone to Heaven to make cappuccinos and Lotza Motza, always with a smile and never with a complaint. R.I.P. Debi Roca. I’ll be drinking a french vanilla cappuccino today in your honor.
Both times I ate in the cafeteria, after graduating, she recognized me instantly and refused to let me pay for lunch.
I remember you using that extra time you had riding with Mr. Doerr to get that cup of cappacino. Your morning was started with some very good people at ML.
I really was blessed!
Thank you, my mom loved you guys all so much. You guys are the reason she worked there. I happy my mom made a difference in your life. She’s watching over us all, and will have the drinks waiting when we see her again!!
She was absolutely remarkable! I’m so sorry for your loss. You are in all of our prayers! God bless
Debi…sassy, caring, loving, funny and touched everyone she met in one way or another. I’d make her coffee and she’d come down and share it. She loved to share, just ask all the kids who didn’t have money or where struggling. A toast to Debi Roca!
Cheers! She truly had a giving heart <3