WILMINGTON — Shirley Rose Chiorello Koches, 89, of Wilmington, NC, formerly of Kingwood Township, NJ, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Trenton, NJ, Shirley spent most of her life in New Jersey before moving to Wilmington to be with her daughter. She was the beloved wife of the late John “Jack” Anthony Koches, and the daughter of the late Frank and Antoinette Ricci Chiorello.
Shirley’s greatest joy was her family, her children: Lynn Koches Noordzy and her husband Keith, Sharon Koches and her partner Doug Burress, John Koches and his wife Dawn, Kevin Koches and his partner Joan Markus, and Michelle Koches. She was a proud grandmother to Keith Noordzy, Kimberly Noordzy French, Erik Noordzy, Shelby Koches, Hallie Koches, and Logan Koches, and a loving great-grandmother to Antonio, Gionni, and Faith Noordzy. Shirley’s heart overflowed with pride and love for each of them.
She is also survived by her siblings, Frank Chiorello, Anthony “Cookie” Chiorello, and Ronald Chiorello, along with many nieces and nephews. Shirley was predeceased by her siblings Jerry, Richard, Kenneth, James “Jimmy,” and Roy Chiorello, Constance “Connie” Hice, Mary Centomain, Carolyn Morris, and Dorothy “Dot” Bacso.
In her early years Shirley was a legal secretary, then a stay-at-home mom. When she returned to work, she was the Children’s department manager at Dunham’s Department store in Flemington, NJ until she joined her daughter at the Harjes Agency, Inc., an independent insurance agency in Flemington, NJ where she worked until her retirement.
Shirley loved to spend time with friends and family, to read, play word search and brain yoga, and enjoyed the love of the family dogs.
Shirley’s warmth and kindness will be deeply missed by all who knew her.
Information regarding a celebration of Shirley’s life will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for memorial contributions be made in Shirley’s name to one of the following organizations:
