ROCHE, EMMA M. (NEE DiDONATO), 86, of Mullica Hill, New Jersey, went home peacefully to her heavenly Father on January 11, 2018, surrounded by her loving husband, children and grandchildren.  

Emma was born on March 3, 1931, the youngest daughter of Berardina and Antonio DiDonato. She grew up on “the farm” in Paulsboro where she later met and married her high school sweetheart, Daniel “Mutt” Roche.

Dan and Emma married on January 7, 1950; Emma passed having just celebrated the 68th anniversary of their love affair.  Her faith was the center of her heart and home and in her last days she found peace in knowing that the Blessed Mother would come to her.    

Because she was tender-hearted and loved so fully, and love believes and hopes all things, she had many heart breaks in her many days.  She was preceded in death by her own eldest son, Stephen, and two of her daughters, Jeanne and Maureen.  Emma was also preceded in death by her seven siblings:  Daniel, Peter, Mary, Paul, Thomas, Teresa and Mario.

She is survived by her other six children, Diane, Duane and wife Sheryl, Teresa and husband Ted Quirk, Mary, Danny and wife Patti, and Kristin and husband Ed Dirago, as well as 25 grandchildren and 20 greatgrandchildren.  Her many surviving nieces and nephews, many of whom grew up with her and who have always loved her dearly, will feel the loss of this special friend.  

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Emma Roche at 11:30am on Wednesday, January 17 at Holy Name of Jesus Church, Catholic Community of the Holy Spirit,  17 Earlington Ave, Mullica Hill, NJ 08062.  Friends and family may call at the church beginning at 10:30 am.  The Rite of Committal will be offered at Eglington Cemetery, 320 Kings Hwy, Clarksboro, NJ 08020 following the Mass.