Plan for the Future
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Roche Family on Friday, 11/20 from 2-4 p.m.
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on Saturday, 11/21 at 10am.
Karen (Walsh) Roche, of Chatham, New Jersey passed away on July 3, 2020 surrounded by her loving family.
Karen was born October 11, 1949 in Scranton, PA, where she lived with her family until moving to Verona, NJ in 1962. She attended Verona High School, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education and Master’s degree in Counseling at Montclair State University, and her Master’s degree in Educational Leadership at Fairleigh Dickinson University. Shortly after graduating college, she met her husband of 44 years, Robert V.C. Roche. They were married in 1972 and moved to Chatham, where they raised their three children Catherine, Matthew, and Richard.
Karen was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother. She worked in many different fields in the span of her professional career. Notably, she worked at the Summit YWCA as a fitness instructor, a law office in Chatham as a paralegal, the Jersey Battered Women Services as a counselor, and the Elizabeth School District as a physical education teacher. Karen loved being active and particularly enjoyed walking, playing golf and tennis, and ice skating. Her favorite place to vacation was Long Beach Island where she enjoyed reading by the ocean. Karen was passionate, dedicated, and ambitious, earning her Master’s degrees while raising her children and working full time.
Karen was predeceased by her husband Robert, her father John Walsh, and her sister Margaret Walsh. She is survived by her three children Catherine Ladd (Bruce), Matthew Roche (Sharon) and Richard Roche; and four grandchildren, Christopher and Madeline Ladd, and Evan and Ryan Roche. She is also survived by her mother, Helen Walsh; five siblings Susanne Walsh, Stephen Walsh, John Walsh (Noel), Richard Walsh (Deborah), and Patricia Walsh Haefeli; three nieces Megan Johnson, Emily Halpin and Elizabeth Haefeli; and one nephew, Kevin Walsh.
