Denise Ann Rocca

Denise Ann Rocca (née Savino), 66, of Toms River, NJ, went to be with the Lord on June 2, 2025. Family and friends are invited to visitation on Friday, June 6, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at Shook-Farmer Funeral Home, 45 Roseland Avenue, Roseland, NJ 07068. A prayer service will be held on Saturday, June 7 at 10:00 AM at the funeral home, followed by burial at Restland Memorial Park, East Hanover, NJ. The family plans to hold a Celebration of Life service in the Toms River area in the near future.
Denise requested that guests dress comfortably and colorfully and that her life be celebrated with shared stories, laughter, and a musical collection of "Denise's Greatest Hits."
Born in Orange, NJ, Denise grew up in West Orange surrounded by her family and friends. There, she met and married her high school sweetheart, Tim Rocca. She also formed lifelong friendships, most notably with her dear friend Lorraine (Ryan) Cornell, with whom she shared countless memories, laughter, and a bond that endured through every season of life. Together with Tim, Denise raised their two children and were active in the community, including Gregory School, local sports teams, and Unconditional Love Christian Fellowship.
In 2006, she and Tim moved to Toms River, where she enjoyed living near the ocean. She cherished life's simple and beautiful moments: collecting seashells on the beach, watching sunrises and sunsets, gardening in her perennial beds, and enjoying meals with loved ones, often accompanied by a scoop (or two!) of her favorite ice cream. As part of her family's business, Nature's Beauty Landscape, Denise designed gardens that brought beauty to others and will continue to bloom in her memory.
Her joy in simple things was rooted in a deeper joy-her unwavering faith in God. Denise was a bold believer and an active member of New Beginnings Christian Church in Brick, NJ, where she served on the hospitality team and continued her dedicated walk with the Lord.
A talented cook and gracious host, Denise prepared a wide array of homemade meals, which brought many people together. Her home was a place of warmth, laughter, and faith.
Denise's love extended to all living things. She was a lifelong animal lover and is also survived by her sweet dog, Freedom, who remained faithfully by her side.
She was predeceased by her parents, Anthony Savino and Lillian Freeman Savino; her brother, Anthony Savino; and his wife, Lynn Hart Savino.
Denise is the beloved wife of Tim Rocca; cherished mother of Michael Rocca and Jenna (Rocca) Castano and her husband, Louis Castano; devoted "DeeMa" (grandmother) to Ava Stella Rocca (Mother: Tracy Matta), Louis Anthony Castano, and Matteo Michael Castano. She is also survived by her brother, Angelo Savino, his son Angelo Savino, and her sister Dana Savino.
On the Rocca side, Denise is survived by Vincent Rocca and his wife, MaryAnn; Nicholas Rocca; Kathy (Rocca) Mallek and her husband, Matthew Mallek; and her four nephews David and Thomas Rocca and Nicholas and Brian Mallek.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Denise's memory via GoFundMe, https://gofund.me/c665a152