Mary P. Koch

Mary Philomena Koch nee Kane, age 94, passed away peacefully on April 25, 2012, at her residence in the Washington Township Senior Living Center in Sewell, New Jersey. She was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Claude Francis Koch, and by her son Christopher Francis Koch, and her brother Thomas Kane.

Mary was born in Philadelphia on March 15, 1918 and over the course of her long life, lived in South Philadelphia, Mount Airy, and the Chestnut Hill sections of the city. She graduated from Notre Dame Academy on Rittenhouse Square in 1936, and married Claude Koch on September 7, 1941. From 1942 to1945, she worked for the Philadelphia Inquirer, first as a copy boy and then as a beat reporter. In 1946 she moved briefly to Montpelier, Vermont, with her husband. In 1955 the family moved to Gainesville, Florida, where Claude did a year of graduate work at the University of Florida. Shortly after that, the family moved to Highland Avenue in Chestnut Hill, where Mary became a beloved member of that community for over fifty years.

Mary is survived by her children, Michael Claude Koch Stephanie Vaughn, Stephen David Koch Katie, Gerard Paul Koch, Mark Damien Koch Ann, Mary Josephine Hartz Rich Hartz, and daughter-in-law Sandra Mundy Koch.

In addition, she is survived by grandchildren Donald Koch Kristine, Rachel Koch Mulligan James, Moira Koch Kaniewski Paul, Caroline Koch Lihou Bill, Joseph Koch Lieko, Colin Koch, Margaret Maggie Koch, Rory Koch, Maeve Koch, Max Koch, Alex Koch, Emma Koch.

Her great-grandchildren include Brandon Santoro, Taye Koch, Lucia Kaniewski, Larry Mulligan, Brandon, Evan and Gigi Lihou.

A funeral mass will be held on Thursday at 11:00 am at Saints Peter and Paul Church, 362 County Rd. 639, Sewell, NJ 08080. Friends are invited to visit from 10:15 to 10:45 am at the church. Mass will follow visitation.

Interment will be private.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s name to Milagre Kids School, 1345 Market St., Linwood, PA 19061