Eugenie Ricau Rocherolle

Eugénie Ricau Rocherolle

Old Lyme, CT - Eugénie Ricau Rocherolle, a distinguished American composer, pianist, lyricist, and teacher, passed away peacefully surrounded by loved ones on March 4th, 2025, at the age of 88. Born in New Orleans in 1936 to parents Gustave J. Ricau Jr. and Katherine Schlegel Ricau, both native New Orleanians, she was the first of three children. Eugénie grew up in Metairie, LA graduating from the first senior class of St. Martin's Episcopal School in 1954 and went on to earn a BA in Music from Newcomb College of Tulane University.

Her junior year was spent in Paris studying music. Returning on board the ship, the Flandre, she met her husband-to-be, Didier Rocherolle from Scarsdale NY, who had also spent his junior year abroad studying at the Ecole des Hautes Etudes Commerciales in Paris. Didier was drafted into the U.S. Army, and was stationed in Wertheim, Germany. They married in New Orleans in 1960 and the newlyweds returned to Germany to finish his tour of duty. Upon his discharge, the couple lived in Rockland County, NY before moving to Wilton, CT where they raised their four children. Vacations were spent in France at the family chateau, the beach house in Groton Long Point, or at the Ricau summer home in Lacombe, Louisiana.

Eugénie began an early career in publishing with choral and band music with her first publishing contract in 1964. In 1978, her first piano solo collection was met with great success and she soon established herself as one of the leading American composers of piano repertoire, publishing well over one hundred collections. Her music is widely distributed throughout the United States and abroad. She is a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP); Connecticut Composers Inc.; and the National Federation of Music Clubs. Her biographical profile appears in the International Who's Who in Music, Baker's Biographical Dictionary of 20th Century Classical Musicians, International Encyclopedia of Women Composers, Who's Who of American Women and Who's Who in the East. She was one of seven composer members of the National League of American Pen Women whose works were chosen to be presented in concert at the Terrace Theater in the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Awards from the Pen Women include first place for both piano and choral in biennial national competitions. She was a 50 year member of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Didier and Eugénie eventually moved to Old Lyme, CT to be nearer to two of their children and their families. She is survived by: daughter Valerie Russell (Rick Singer); sons Laurent (Holly), Damien (Kelli), and Justin; grandchildren Nina Deppen Reardon (Steven), Joel Deppen (Kelly), Bray Deppen, Alyssa Rocherolle Kennedy (Reuben), Annick Rocherolle Parnell (Talan), Noah Rocherolle (Hana Brown), and Emma Rocherolle Pryor (Finneas); great-grandchildren Ella, Vivian, and Madeline Reardon, and Adalaide and Declan Smallidge. She is also survived by her sister, Barbara MacArthur of Lake Almanor, California, as well as many nieces and nephews. Eugenie was predeceased by her sister Lorraine.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 12th from 2pm-4pm at The La Grua Center in Stonington, CT.