While raising her family on the north shore of Long Island in East Northport, her career continued in local hospitals and later as a staff nurse for Macy's department store in Huntington, N.Y.

She eventually retired from the Commack School District as a school nurse after 16 years at North Ridge Elementary School, Commack, N.Y. Upon retirement, in 1983, she and her husband of 61 years, Fred J. Koch , fulfilled their lifelong dream of retreating to the New England lifestyle with a custom built timber frame on a 14-acre homestead in Peterborough. She most enjoyed time with her grandchildren and tending to her garden. She was devoted to her family and will be missed for her easy going disposition and wonderful laugh. She was an active member of the Greenfield Women's Club and Women's Guild of St. Peter Church, Peterborough.

Her husband predeceased her. She is survived by two sons, Fred R. Koch of Chester, Md., and Robert K. Koch of Deerfield, N.H.; a daughter, Marjorie E. Koch of Goffstown, N.H.; eight grandchildren; and four great grandchildren. She was also predeceased by daughter, Karen A. Koch in 1994.

SERVICES: At her family's request, there were no calling hours. A joint spring burial for her and her husband will take place in the St. Peter High Street Cemetery, Peterborough, on or about June 2. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Hospice House, P.O. Box 1797, Concord, NH 03301; or The Hospice of the Chesapeake, Inc., 445 Defense Hwy., Annapolis, MD 21401; or The Alzheimer's Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Ave., 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001.