Eugenie Ricau Rocherolle

Eugenie Ricau Rocherolle "Gigi"

Old Lyme, CT - Eugénie Ricau Rocherolle, a distinguished American composer, pianist, lyricist, and educator, passed away on March 4th, 2025, at the age of 88. She was born on August 24, 1936, in New Orleans, Louisiana, to parents Gustave J. Ricau Jr. and Katherine Schlegel Ricau. Eugénie grew up immersed in the rich musical heritage of her hometown. The eldest of three daughters, she graduated 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 and upon returning home on board the ship, Le Flandre, she met her husband-to-be, Didier Rocherolle. They married in New Orleans in May of 1960 and lived in Germany while he finished his tour of duty. Upon returning to the States, they settled in Rockland County, NY, and started a family. After a short time in Wilton, CT, they relocated to New Orleans. A few years later, they returned to Wilton to raise their growing family.

Eugenie's career began as she wrote compositions for choral and band music with her first publishing contract in 1964. She gained widespread recognition with the release of her first piano solo collection in 1978. This success established her as one of America's leading composers of piano repertoire. Her extensive body of work includes compositions for solo voice, chorus, orchestra, musical theater, and chamber ensembles. She was a dedicated teacher, who taught piano to countless students, including her grandchildren. Wilton school choruses and ensembles used her pieces in numerous concerts spanning decades, including a composition for the Bicentennial celebration in 1976.

Eugénie's works have been performed by artists such as Julie Rivers and widely distributed both nationally and internationally. Her music is celebrated for its melodic richness and emotional depth, reflecting her New Orleans roots and her classical training. She recorded four albums over her career, with her grandchildren noting that their "Gigi" is famous because her records are on Spotify!

Over the years, Eugénie received a number of accolades and awards. She was honored as the 1995 Outstanding Newcomb Alumna and was a commissioned composer by Clavier magazine. Her works were featured at the Terrace Theater of the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., and she received first-place awards in both piano and choral categories from the National League of American Pen Women. She was also a member of the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), Connecticut Composers Inc., and the National Federation of Music Clubs. She was a renowned keynote speaker, presenter, and performer, sharing her passion and expertise at workshops and conventions across the country. Her generosity and community connections were evident with her decades of membership with the Drum Hill Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution in Wilton.

Beyond her professional achievements, Eugénie lived a life full of curiosity and creativity. She loved to read, take walks, finding inspiration in nature, and enjoyed sketching, painting, and writing poetry for her family and friends' birthdays. She cherished the art of correspondence, sending heartfelt emails and letters to those she loved. Her incredible sense of humor, quick wit, and warmth always made her a joy to be around. Eugénie loved to travel and spend vacations with her family at La Rocherolle in France, "The Big House" in Groton Long Point, and her parents' summer home in Lacombe, Louisiana.

Didier and Eugénie eventually moved to Old Lyme, CT to be nearer to two of their children and their families. She is lovingly 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, brother-in-law Jerome, sisters-in-law Marie-Laure Epron (Michel), Catherine Lepoutre, Caroline Rocherolle, and many dear extended family members. Eugenie was predeceased by her husband, Didier, and her sister, Lorraine Lorange.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, April 12th at 2:00PM at The La Grua Center in Stonington, CT.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be honored with a donation to a music education program to foster the love of music for future generations.