DURHAM - Eileen L. LaRocca, 87, passed away on Nov. 22, 2016, after bravely battling cancer.She was born on Aug. 5, 1929, to Joseph and Yvonne Mercier of Franklin. Eileen graduated in 1947 from Franklin High School, and from Boston University in 1949, where she served as class president.Eileen was the beloved mother of six children. She also worked as a substitute teacher and in partnership with her husband in his wine and spirits brokerage. Eileen was a lifelong volunteer, serving as a Girl Scout Leader in Newmarket, Treasurer of the Swains Lake Association in Barrington and The Cottages at Spruce Wood in Durham. While living in Barrington, she worked year-round with her husband and friends, creating woodcrafts to raise funds for the Chapel of the Nativity.Eileen was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, the Barrington Women's Club, the Newcomers Club, the Active Retirement Association, and the St. Thomas More Parish in Durham. She enjoyed her home, pets, family and friends, and loved gardening, reading, and travel.Eileen was predeceased by her parents, husband Michael A. LaRocca, son Michael A. LaRocca III, brother Andrew Mercier and sister Gloria Sawicki.She is survived by sons Col. Stephen A. LaRocca Ret. (and Fernanda) of Maryland and Joseph E. M. LaRocca (and MaryJill) of Manchester; daughters Dr. Yvonne Lewis (and Wayne) of Durham, Melanie LaRocca (and Howard Andersen) of N. Andover, Mass., and Elizabeth LaRocca of Londonderry; granddaughter Melissa LaRocca; grandsons Beau Hodges, Anthony, Joseph, Marco, and Gregory LaRocca, Wayne Lewis Jr. (and Ginger); great-grandson Spencer Lewis; brother Dr. George Mercier (and Suzanne) of Manchester; and sisters Joan Churas of Manchester and Joyce Allan (and Huntley) of Jackson; along with cousins, nieces, nephews, and dear friends..SERVICES: Calling hours 4-7 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 28, at Purdy Memorial Chapel, 2 Concord Rd., Lee, NH.A funeral mass will be celebrated on Tuesday, Nov. 29, at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas More Church, 6 Madbury Rd., Durham, N.H. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to St. Thomas More Parish or the NH State Veterans' Cemetery, 110 Daniel Webster Hwy., Boscawen, NH 03303-2413.To sign our online guestbook, please go to www.purdyfuneralservice.com.