Irena May Rocca

 Irena May Rocca June 23, 1927 Feb. 10, 2011 Resident of Martinez Irena May Rocca passed away peacefully on February 10, 2011. Born in Burlingame, Kansas, on June 23, 1927, to parents, Rosetta and Amos Mudd, Irena moved with her parents and younger sister, Phillis, to Oakland, CA, in 1940. While in high school, working as a waitress, Irena met a handsome young man named Aldo. They married on July 4, 1944, in what she called the best decision of her life, and over the next 22 years, they had eight children Gregory, Christopher, Nicole (Jones), Irena (Schwaderer), Terese, Patrice (Doctors), Maria and Regina. After raising her children, Irena directed her undiminished energy toward community service, volunteering with Birthright, a local battered women's shelter, a senior center and a rest home. Irena was an avid and skilled horsewoman, a passion which she shared with her husband, children and friends. During the later years of their 66-year marriage, Irena and Aldo traveled internationally, sharing their journeys with their children through Irena's considerable skill as an amateur photographer. In her final years, Irena was beset by many physical ailments, which she accepted with courage, humility, grace and without complaint an inspiration to us all. She will be greatly missed and remembered with love and respect by her husband and children as well as her sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, great grandchild, nieces, nephews and all others who knew her and her loving, kind, indomitable spirit. A Memorial Mass celebrating her life, followed by a reception, will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 19, at Christ the King Church, 199 Brandon Road (corner of Gregory Lane and Brandon Road), Pleasant Hill, CA 94523, 925 682 2486. Memorial contributions are preferred to the St. Vincent de Paul Society, 2210 Gladstone Drive, Pittsburg, CA 94565.

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