Barbara Rocha

HOLDEN - Barbara A. Rocha, age 92, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend, passed away peacefully on November 24, 2025, surrounded by loving family. Barbara, the second oldest child of Michael and Helen Scanlon, was born in Brooklyn and grew up in Whitestone, New York. She married Ernest Rocha in 1958, and they shared 55 years of marriage filled with unwavering devotion.

Barbara graduated from St. Vincent’s Nursing School in New York City and began her career in nursing. She put her nursing skills to use in many different settings including the airlines, hospitals, and home health. She went back to school while raising four children and working full-time, to obtain her undergraduate degree and then again to become a Certified Nurse Practitioner. She became a Certified Nurse Practitioner when there were only approximately 15,000 NPs in the US.

She was a nutritionist at heart, and an advocate for the holistic approach to disease prevention. She was a strong believer in education, had a love of learning (enrolling in college courses well into her 70s), was an independent thinker, and an avid reader who preferred non-fiction and medical books.

Barbara was a source of goodwill, love, strength and guidance for her family and friends. She was a woman of strong faith and a devout member of St. Mary’s Parish in Jefferson, where she volunteered early on as a CCD teacher, and served as a eucharistic minister. More recently, she enjoyed participating in a bible study group.

She enjoyed playing tennis, golf, and bridge, quilting, cross country skiing, ice skating, and traveling and seeing new sites throughout the U.S. and internationally. Their trip to the Vatican and pilgrimage to Lady of Fatima (Portugal) brought her much joy.

Most of all, she cherished time with her family. She relished attending and supporting her grandchildren in their school projects, sporting events, and theatre and choir performances. She would also write to them often offering advice and send special cards to let them know she was thinking of them. Being with her extended family meant a great deal to her as well, and she loved gathering with her siblings and their families especially in the NH white mountains sharing many laughs.

Barbara will be remembered for her genuine concern for others, and caring nature.

She was the beloved mother of James Rocha (Liz) of East Walpole, MA, Susan Husband (Wayne) of Bedford, NH, Ernest Rocha of Holden, MA, and Beth Cranford (Mark) of Hampton, NH. She was a loving Grandma to Zach (Alexa), Ben, Sam, Caitlin, and Tyler. She is survived by her three siblings, Joseph Scanlon (Gail), Maureen Ehlers, and James Scanlon. Barbara was predeceased by her husband, Ernest G. Rocha, her sister-in-law Donna Scanlon, brother-in-law Harry Ehlers, and brother-in-law John Rocha.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to visit with Barbara’s family from 10 – 11:30 AM on Wednesday, December 3rd at the Miles Funeral Home, 1158 Main Street in Holden, followed by a procession to St. Mary’s Church, 114 Princeton Street in Jefferson, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:00 PM. Interment will be in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Holden.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Box 2200, Jefferson, MA 01522 or Partners in Charity Appeal, Diocese of Worcester, 49 Elm St., Worcester, MA 01609.