Irene Roccato

(nee Terpack) On April 3, 2021 of Glassboro.  Age 77.  Beloved wife of John A.  Devoted mother of Valerie Ann Cline (Christer) and Daria Lynn Roccato (Joel Bohanon).  Loving grandmother of Brian, Craig, Douglas (Lindsey), Gabriella, and Austin.  Proud great-grandmother of Harper, Duncan, and Emaline.  Dear sister of Daniel and Lawrence Terpack, Valerie Angelo, Judith DiMaggio, and the late Carl.

It is often said when someone passes, that heaven gains an angel.  In Irene’s case, this sentiment could not be truer! Irene was loving, compassionate, and kind to everyone. One of six siblings, family was always at the center of her life. Irene often called to check in or check up on siblings and their families and was sure to keep all of us updated about the latest extended family ongoings.   

Throughout her life, it was simple things, not extravagant ones, that made her happiest and most fulfilled.  From a day trip to Cape May or weekend away in Jim Thorpe with her husband, to family get-togethers for any occasion with plenty of homemade favorite foods, time with family is what she cherished. She adored her grandchildren and great grandchildren and often marveled at how they all continued to call or visit as they grew older, just to talk to her because they enjoyed being with her. But, to everyone that knew Irene, this was just a testament of the strong family that she built. 

She made friends easily and often, creating friendships that spanned decades. And as with family, her time with her friends need not be extravagant: walking with a dear friend, lunch with the girls, playing Bunko, casino penny slots and buffets, or a day trip to New York City were among her favorite times. New friends or old, her girlfriends were like sisters to her.  In fact, their shenanigans are legendary. As a teacher’s aide, she loved working with her colleagues in the Washington Township School District, and especially loved working with the children.  

She enjoyed reading and quickly made her way through everything ever written by Mary Higgins Clark. Mornings would often find her working to solve a challenging crossword puzzle while enjoying a cup of coffee. Always the gift giver, she would scour the stores with great pleasure for just the right items to bestow upon everyone she loved. And you could be sure that it suited your personality to a ‘T’, or was exactly the right style, color, and size.  

Irene was strong and approached life’s difficulties with determination and grace. Beating pancreatic cancer in 2016, she was our hero.  We were all so incredibly fortunate to have had her here to love us for several years afterward.  

Family and friends are invited to attend her viewing Friday 9:00-11:00 AM at the Egizi Funeral Home, 119 Ganttown Rd., Washington Twp.  Funeral service 11:00 AM.  Interment, New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Irene’s memory may be made to Penn Medicine Development, 3535 Market Street, Suite 750, Philadelphia, PA 19104 or online at https://giving.apps.upenn.edu.

“A Life Well Lived Is Worth Remembering”