Nancy L O'Rourke

Nancy Lee O'Rourke, 78, formerly of Hackettstown, NJ passed away peacefully on March 29, 2020 in St. Clare's Hospital in Denville, NJ with her loving family by her side.
Nancy was born on January 17, 1942 in Teaneck, NJ to the late Edward and Helen Rifenburgh.
After graduating from Clifton High School, Nancy went on to fulfill her lifelong dream of helping others, and in 1963 she graduated valedictorian of her class at Saint Mary's School of Nursing in Orange, NJ, and became a Registered Nurse. That same year, she married and started her true love: raising a family. Nancy worked for over 25 years as a nurse, including many years at Saint Clare's Hospital and at Dover General Hospital, culminating her career there as the Assistant Director of Nursing. Nancy retired in 1986, having been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 1983. She will be remembered as a warrior who fought her condition with grace, dignity and strength, never complaining and always putting her faith in her Lord. For many years she was a member of Good Shepherd Roman Catholic Church in Andover, NJ prior to moving to Merry Heart Assisted Living in Ledgewood and then to Boonton Care Center. Above all, she loved her family. Her children and grandchildren were her world.
Nancy is survived by her loving children, son Timothy H. O'Rourke; daughter, Colleen A. O'Rourke-Heredia and her husband Raul; her cherished twin grandchildren: Paloma Anne and Sebastian Joseph Heredia. She also leaves behind her brother-in-law Jack Nimmo, niece, Deborah Panei and her husband Ralph; nephew Michael Nimmo and his wife Donna, and nephew Mark Nimmo and his wife Maria. She will be sadly missed by all. She is preceded in death by her former husband Denis Hennessy O'Rourke and her beloved sister Barbara Nimmo.
A private graveside service will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Cemetery in Andover, NJ on April 2nd.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made in Nancy's name to Merry Heart Care Center, 200 Route 10 West, Succasunna, NJ 07876 or the Boonton Care Center, 199 Powerville Road, Boonton, NJ 07005
Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to Maguire-Scala Memorial Home 124 High Street, Hackettstown, NJ 07840, (908)-852-2420.