Adeline Rockko

New Lisbon - Adeline Rockko, nee Piccoli, beloved by all who knew her, passed peacefully at her home on January 23 with her family at her bedside.

Adeline was born to Bernadino and Vincenza Felici Piccoli on April 28, 1927 in Watertown, NY. She married Olen D. Rockko on April 7, 1967. He passed on March 8, 1998. She is survived by daughters Rebecca and Felicia Rockko of Pemberton, NJ, son Erick (Gloria) Bly of Navarre, FL, grandchildren Gianna Goldsmith (Ryan), Kiara Seaberg (Jason), Jelina and Selissa Bly, and granddaughter, Andrea Seaberg. She is also survived by her sister, Margherita Larmon, of Willmar, MN, as well as 8 nieces and nephews, 10 great nieces and nephews, their children, and many dear and close friends. Besides her husband, she is predeceased by a daughter, Sara Elizabeth Rockko, her parents, brothers Pvt. Corrado Piccoli (WWII) and Natalino Piccoli, and three sisters, Ermalinda (Elma) Evans, Leonora Sixt, and Mary Piccoli.

A dedicated nurse, Adeline graduated from the Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in 1948 and earned her BSN at Syracuse University in 1961. She worked in many different fields of nursing and was especially proud of serving on the Medical Staff of the American Export Lines Passenger Liners the USS Constitution, USS Independence and the USS Atlantic. Her last position in her nursing career was as an acting Director of Nurses at French Hospital in NYC. Later, she became active in her husband's business, Broken Lance Enterprises. After retirement, Adeline continued to help others through volunteering at Virtua Hospital, Red Cross Blood Drives, and the Deborah Hospital Foundation.

In 2011, Adeline and her family were presented with her brother's recovered Purple Heart medal. The return led to the creation of Purple Hearts Reunited, a non-profit organization that is dedicated to reuniting lost military medals with their rightful recipients and families. This story was featured on NBC Nightly News, NPR's StoryCorps, and in the book The Ties that Bind.

In her spare time, Adeline enjoyed knitting, crocheting, sewing, cooking, reading, gardening, and the good company of relatives, friends, and her pets.

Adeline leaves behind a legacy of warmth and compassion. Her gentle spirit and boundless empathy enriched the lives of those around her, making every heart lighter. Adeline's presence will be deeply missed, but her legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire generations to come.

Wake services are provided by Lankenau Funeral Home, 31 Elizabeth St., Pemberton Borough on Thursday, February 1 from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. A funeral mass will be held at St. Ann's Church, 22 Trenton Rd, Browns Mills, NJ on Friday, February 2 at 11:00 AM. Memorials in Adeline's name may be directed to Purple Hearts Reunited (www. purpleheartsreunited.org).