Mrs. Nancy Ilgen Roche

Nancy Ilgen Roche, 79, of Asheville, NC passed away on December 29, 2013. Born in Montclair, NJ on January 19, 1934, she was the daughter of the late Benjamin F. Ilgen and the late Margaret Byrne Ilgen. Personal: Nancy was a 1951 graduate of Scott High School in East Orange NJ, where she won an award for singing. She attended Rutgers University in Newark, NJ for two years, as well as the Newark College of Engineering (NJIT). She was employed as an electronics draftsperson at Tungsol Electric in Newark, NJ, and as a process draftsperson at Esso Research & Engineering in Linden, NJ / Exxon Research & Engineering in Florham Park, NJ. She also worked as a clerical assistant in the admissions department at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY for two years. As a young woman, Nancy worked in her father’s business, the Ilgen Texaco service station on Dodd Street in East Orange, NJ. Survivors: Nancy is survived by her loving husband of over 54 years, Edward Charles Roche, Jr. ScD, PE of Asheville. The two were married on July 4, 1959. She is also survived by two daughters: Kelli Sue Portland and husband Scott Portland both of Milford, NJ; and Pegeen Roche Sternberg and husband Franklin L. Sternberg of Bethlehem Twp., PA. Nancy also has two surviving sons: Patrick Thomas Roche of Parsippany NJ and Timothy E. Roche, PhD of Bethlehem Twp., PA, as well as Timothy’s longtime friend Tracey Tillman of Parsippany, NJ, who Nancy loved like a daughter. Her first daughter, Lisa Ann Roche, predeceased Nancy. Nancy’s four grandsons are Shane T. Sternberg, Jacob E. Sternberg, Ryan B. Sternberg, and Connor J. Sternberg. Nancy has two surviving brothers, John & Rita Ilgen and Benjamin & Lynn Ilgen and their families both of Texas, and three surviving sisters and their families: Peggy & Joseph Tuzzeo DC of Kinnelon NJ, Kathy Novak of Barnegat NJ, and Ellen & Bob Wade of Toms River NJ. Nancy has 17 nieces and nephews, including Joseph Tuzzeo, Susan Tuzzeo D’Angelo, Margaret “Meg” Tuzzeo, Bonnie Novak, Kenneth Novak, Dan Novak, Colin Wade, Brian Wade, Erin Wade, Denise Roche, Michelle Murday McMillan, Kimmaree Murday, Brendan Murday, John Ilgen Jr., Michael Ilgen, Steven Ilgen, and Rita Ilgen. Service: Funeral services were held on Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 11:00 a.m. at the parish of St. Eugene’s Catholic Church in Asheville NC.

Tributes

Mrs. Nancy Ilgen Roche

January 19, 1934 - December 29, 2013