Svetlana Alexeieff Rockwell

1923 - 2015
Ludmila Svetlana Alexeieff Rockwell, 91, Westport

Ludmila Svetlana Alexeieff Rockwell, 91, of Westport, passed away at home on Jan. 15, 2015, succumbing to congestive heart failure. She was surrounded by her four children.

Svetlana was born between the two world wars in Paris, France, to Russian emigré parents Alexandra Grinevsky and Alexandre Alexeieff .

Both parents overcame poverty and survived post-revolution dislocation to become accomplished in their chosen fields of deluxe book illustration. Her father Alexandre Alexeieff, became a world-renowned film animator and the inventor of as the Pinscreen along with his second wife, Claire Parker.

Svetlana was raised in Paris among well-known artists of the time, and she herself became a dedicated artist, teacher, consultant and writer.

Shortly after the Second World War she met and married Paul S. Rockwell of Bristol, RI (deceased) who had come to Paris to study theater on the GI bill.

Svetlana remained a creative person throughout her long life.

She continued to paint, founded an art consultant company, and was appointed the vice principal of the New England School of Art in the 1970's. Late in life, she wrote her memoirs in a collection of stories entitled "Snap Shots." "Snap Shots" was published in France and Russia.

Svetlana leaves behind her children, Niki Rockwell, Valery Rockwell, Sacha Sullivan, Alex Rockwell and step daughter, Annette Rockwell; her grandchildren, Luke, Valery, Cassandra, Rafael, Mei, Claire, Lana, Nico and Abner; her adored pets, Happy, Luna, her parrot, Acu; and an eclectic group of dedicated friends spread out over the world.

She will be missed by all who were fortunate enough to have known her.

Services will be held at the Friend's Meeting House 938 Main Road Westport, at 1 pm on Saturday, Jan. 24. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Lazicki's Bird House and Rescue, 2141 W. Shore Rd, Warwick, RI 02886