Carolann Rocheleau

1950 - 2024

Carolann Rocheleau
1950 -2024
Carolann Rocheleau, born a Libra in Holyoke, MA, in the baby boomer era to a Polish father Edward who recently completed his "long walk" across North Africa and southern Europe and a French mother Edna who stole his heart shortly after his return stateside. Carolann spent her early years at their home in Chicopee, MA, getting into trouble with her brother Edward Jr. and screaming with him at the top of their lungs in the backyard while B-52s roared overhead on final to nearby Chicopee AFB. They often helped their father with his large-scale garden and regularly vacationed to Point Judith. In 1968, her parents sent her off to Westfield State to graduate with a major in mathematics. She was doing fine focusing on her studies until her roommate set her up on a blind date in 1969 with a young man from Williamsburg, MA, named Robert. That day Carolann and Robert began a 55-year journey together, witnessing sunsets on beaches from St. Maarten to the coast of Maine and cuddling together near campfires at many places in between (even when seagulls stole dinner right off the grill). Through more than half a century they never left each other's side. Even simultaneous hospitalizations in her twilight years couldn't keep them apart. They found each other passing in a hallway to different tests and the compassionate staff at the hospital set them up on a "date". Together they brought two children into the world, a son Christopher and a daughter Kimberly. They raised both children in East Hartford and sent them off to college to begin lives of their own.
Apart from raising her immediate family, Carolann loved her annual shopping trips to Maine with her mother and aunt Janet where there was no shortage of laughter, fun and few silent moments. She passed on an enduring love of cooking, including many traditional Polish dishes, and a myriad of clipped and handwritten recipes to friends and family, even teaching her husband to cook when she was no longer able to do so. She grew her own herbs as well as an extensive flower garden around the entire family home every year. In her autumn years she developed a strong friendship with her devoted aide, Adrienne and together they continued her gardening tradition.
Carolann was predeceased by several cats with various personality disorders and a cherished family dog. She is survived by her master mechanic and model A owner, brother Edward Jr., his wife Jackie, a nephew Jon and niece Jamie; her lifelong friend, confidant and aunt Janet, a beloved cousin Suzie and aunt Alice; her sister-in-law and forever UNO partner Suzanne, her husband Ernie and nephew Phil; grandchildren Charlotte Mae, Kevin and Ely; her two children, Kimberly and Christopher and his wife Shawna; and the love of her life Robert who was with her until the moment the Lord decided to bring her home (Au revoir, ma chérie) We will miss her laugh, her smile, her quick wit and her huge heart while holding onto cherished memories until we see her again.
Family and friends may call on the John F. Tierney Funeral Home, 219 W. Center Street, Manchester, on Friday, July 19th, from 9-11 a.m. followed by a funeral home service at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be held at Silver Lane Cemetery in East Hartford. For online condolences, please visit www.tierneyfuneralhome.com.