Madeline Hammond Larocca

Madeline Hammond LaRocca, beloved wife, mother and friend, passed away on Saturday, December 28, 2024.

Madeline was born in Ithaca, NY on September 28, 1942 to Albert H. Hammond and Anna (Hancy) Hammond. She graduated from Ithaca High School in 1960 and attended Michigan State and Ithaca College. It was while working at the College Spa Diner in Ithaca that she met her future husband, Philip LaRocca. They married on February 23, 1963 and started their family. For many years, they ran restaurants together including the Homer Diner and Venetian Gardens in Cortland. They returned to Ithaca in 1972 where they settled to raise their four children. Madeline pursued a long career in retail management working for J.C. Penney and then Tompkins County Trust Company from where she officially retired in 2019.

Madeline had a huge heart, volunteering and supporting many causes over the years. She was a Girl Scout Troop leader long after her daughters had moved on and in addition enjoyed many years as a devoted volunteer at St. Catherine’s of Siena parish. She was a member of the parish council, the choir and had a long-term ministry to the sick and elderly. Madeline also supported numerous non-profits, particularly those that cared for children, veterans and animals. Madeline and her husband Phil hosted many Thanksgiving dinners and picnics for relatives and friends as everyone was welcome at their table.

She enjoyed traveling, following her children as their careers and pursuits took them all over the country including New York City, Philadelphia, New Jersey, California, Washington, DC, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Saratoga and of course, Florida. For many years she drove back and forth to the Punta Gorda area of Florida to visit her mother, brother and daughter who resided there. She would drive her mother Anna back to Ithaca to visit family for the summers while also enjoying side trips to areas on the east coast together.

Madeline is survived by her loving husband of over 61 years, Philip LaRocca; a son Father Frank LaRocca SJ of Syracuse, NY; daughters Lynn (Peter Daddona) of East Haven, Ct; Laura of West Hartford, Ct; and Lisa of Scottsdale, AZ along with so many beloved aunts, cousins, in-laws, nieces, nephews and friends. She is predeceased by her father Albert Hammond, mother Anna H Hammond and brother, Thomas.

A service will be held later in the spring of 2025. Donations can be made in Madeline’s honor at the SPCA of Tompkins County (https://www.spcaonline.com/gifts) or the Veterans of Foreign Wars (https://vfw.org/ )The family asks that you celebrate Madeline’s life through your kind actions.