Ann Marie Roche

Ann Marie Elizabeth Roche died August 23,2025 in Toms River NJ. She passed away peacefully at home surrounded by immediate family and with close relatives by her side after fighting years long battle with Alzheimer’s disease.

Ann was born February 4, 1953 in Livingston, Staten Island, NY and subsequently grew up there. Ann was the youngest of three siblings including the late Richard and Christine. Her parents were Oscar and Mary Nusser. Oscar worked as an artist and her mother Mary a devoted homemaker. Ann, in addition to being bright and curious, was also an artistic and athletic child. Her loves included reading, painting, ice skating, horse back riding, walking outdoors, and time spent in nature. At Curtis High School in Staten Island she was co-captain of her cheerleading team. She would also would play softball and tennis later on as an adult, however her true passion would come to fruition in forming a family. Upon meeting her future husband John (known to all as “Jack”) while in high school, the seeds of lifelong love were planted. They wed in June 1973, a union that would span 55 years (52 years married) before her untimely passing. They enjoyed life as newlyweds briefly while living in Staten Island before Ann and Jack would soon find themselves relocated in San Francisco from 1976-1978 after Jack was transferred. Upon learning of the pregnancy of their first child, Heidi Ann, they would return to the east coast to be closer to family for the birth of their daughter.

Their second child, Jon Nusser, was born in 1982 and in 1985 they moved the family to Colts Neck NJ. They became a family of five with the addition of Kristin Elizabeth in March of 1986.

Being a mother would prove to be Ann’s greatest accomplishment. She was devoted fully to her family and her tireless commitment day in and day out to the needs of others, not limited to her immediate family, cannot be overstated. Her greatest pleasure in life came from her routine devotion to those she loved most. She cleaned, cooked, comforted, chauffeured, consoled, advised, taught, disciplined, and respected her children. The filial duty and reverence her children feel for her is a reflection of a life lived correctly. She was involved heavily in her community and would also stay active in all of her children’s, and extended family and friends’ lives through both educational and athletic happenings. She was Chairperson for the Coalition Against Substance Abuse and loved to spend her time as an active volunteer within the community and also many community outreach programs.

She later returned to the workforce in the Colts Neck school system and MAC Testing, and guided families with care and dedication as a realtor, and even offered strength and compassion as a crisis counselor during Superstorm Sandy. Through such efforts she forged strong bonds with everyone she encountered. Her lifelong friendships are a testament to her true selfless and genuine nature. Her family and friends will always remember how important she made each person feel and each day was spent taking the time to make someone feel special. Those closest to her remain eternally grateful for her love and leadership.

Ann always strove to do the right thing all the time yet never sacrificing her jovial and playful nature and such fun never coming at anyone else’s expense. She was free from hypocrisy and was truly virtuous. Any further attempts by this obituary would be paltry in regards to fully articulating the character of an exemplary woman confined by a few paragraphs describing a lifetime of events when such actions were the daily definition of devotion and harmony to those closest to her in her life. Consider yourself lucky if you knew her, and take heed to learn from her, for her life actions were a cue to live well, desire little and let your actions speak for themselves. Ann often said you always have a choice in life and in this life she chose wisely and always chose love and compassion.

Her spirit lives on in her husband, Jack, daughter Heidi, her daughter in law Freya, her grandson Kellen; her son Jon, his fiancé Alexia and her grandson Aiden and her daughter Kristin and her husband John, as well as her sister Christine and her nieces, nephews, cousins and friends. She will live in our hearts forever and will be deeply missed; may she rest in peace.

A Celebration of Ann Marie’s life will be held on Tuesday, August 26, 2025 from 4-8 pm at the Quinn-Hopping Funeral Home, 26 Mule Rd., Toms River. A memorial Mass will be held Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 12 pm at St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Church, Toms River.