Barbara Patricia Larocca

Barbara Patricia LaRocca, 70, of North Chesterfield, Virginia, passed away March 24th, 2024 after a short period of illness in the comfort of her home with family.

She was born to the late Edward and Helen De Cesario, Sept. 11, 1953 in Glen Cove, New York. She was raised in Hicksville, New York with her 3 sisters. She married the late Lawrence LaRocca (d. 1981) in September 1976 with whom she shared 2 children. Then married William “Billy” Mates in Nov 1984. She resided in Holbrook New York while raising her 3 children.

Barbara is survived by her Husband William “Billy” Mates of North Chesterfield, Virginia and three children, Christopher LaRocca (Nicole) of Chesapeake, Virginia; Megan LaRocca (Joseph) of Farmingville, New York, and Scott Mates (Juliet) of Richmond, Virginia. Barbara took enormous pride in her role as “Nonna” to her 5 beautiful grandchildren: Jesse (12), Ava (12) and Christian (9) LaRocca and Giulise (7) and Soleil Mates. (3), all who will miss her terribly.

Barbara loved reading and always had a book in her hand. She was always listening to music, idolized the Beatles and particularly loved “John and Paul”. She was known for her very spirited personality and for always speaking her mind. She had a real joy for cooking, never missed her favorite TV Shows (General Hospital, Everybody Loves Raymond, NCIS and Chicago 50 just to name a few) and loved collecting and displaying trivia/facts and quotes from celebrities, politicians, athletes, and other worldly icons. Some of her other favorite things included the spoiling of her dogs (the late Jake and current Winston) doing her daily jumble, playing solitaire and gardening. She had a love and craze for collecting all things hummingbird, foxes and giraffes while also never forgetting to send her infamous greeting cards for birthdays, holidays, and other special occasions to those special in her life.

She reluctantly left Long Island in 1997, relocating to Midlothian, Virginia but always remained a “New York girl at heart”. She continually spoke of missing her family that remained back home to include her sisters and many nieces and nephews. Barbara loved her kids and grandkids to no end. She was caring, intentional and very thoughtful in all that she did. She will be terribly missed by all those that knew her.

Viewing ceremony will be held on Monday, April 1st, 2024 from 2-4pm and 7-9pm at the Moloney’s Funeral Home in Holbrook, New York. A mass will occur at St. Ignasias Catholic Church in Hicksville, New York on Tuesday April 2nd, 2024 at 10am with a burial to follow at the Cemetery of the Holy Rood in Westbury, New York.