Rocca graduated from Rutherford B. Hayes High School in Delaware, Ohio.
Rocca earned an Associate of Science degree in nursing from North Central Michigan College.
Rocca was a head nurse in the psychiatric ward of Lockwood MacDonald Hospital in Petoskey, Michigan.
[2] In 1986, Rocca's political career began when she was appointed a member of the Michigan Health Occupations Council by Governor James Blanchard.
[2] On November 8, 1994, at age 45,[3] Rocca won the election and became a Republican member of Michigan House of Representatives for District 30.
[1][2] During her time in the statehouse she served on the Constitutional Law and Ethics, Health Policy , Regulatory Reform , Senior Health, Security and Retirement committees[3] In May 2001, after David Jaye was expelled from Michigan Senate, a special Republican primary election was held.