Rochelle Desmarais Peterson, 76, of Guilford, beloved wife of 55 years to Nils G. Peterson, died peacefully Dec. 30 at home, surrounded by her large and loving family. She was born Aug. 30, 1937 in Concord, New Hampshire to the late Joseph and Helen Huston Desmarais.

Rochelle graduated from high school at age 16 and enrolled at Keene State College in New Hampshire. Upon graduating in 1958, she married her college sweetheart and moved to Guilford to start her career as a teacher and raise her family. Rochelle taught fourth grade at A.W. Cox Elementary School in Guilford until her retirement in 1991. In addition to raising and spending time with her seven children, Rochelle enjoyed reading, quilting, knitting, and cooking; and had a special love for flowers. 

Rochelle’s family wishes to gratefully acknowledge Connecticut Hospice Home Care for the kind and gentle care they provided.

In addition to her husband, Rochelle leaves behind her children Melinda and her husband Daniel Ricker, Mary Lou and her husband Dennis Cadwell, Melanie and her husband Thomas Martin, Pamela Smith, Beth Peterson, Laura Peterson and Jason Rendano, and Matthew Peterson; nine cherished grandchildren, Kevin and Erica Ricker, Morgan and her husband Brian Cugell, Benjamin Cadwell and Madeline Christensen, Sam Cadwell, Sean and Molly Martin, and Jeremy and Collin Smith; one great-granddaughter, Emma Lou Cugell; and three sisters, Cecile and her husband Alan Beresford of Chandler, Arizona, Judy Wilson of Enfield, New Hampshire, and Andrea and her husband Jack Coleman of Meredith, New Hampshire. She was predeceased by a grandson, Kyle Martin; and brother-in-law Roger Wilson. 

Friends and family may call Friday, Jan. 3 from 4-7 p.m. at Hawley Lincoln Memorial, 1315 Boston Post Road, Guilford. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday, Jan. 4 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Margaret Catholic Church, 24 Academy Street, Madison. In lieu of flowers, contributions in Rochelle’s memory may be made to Guilford Little League/ Kyle Martin Memorial Scholarship Fund, 800 Village Walk #213, Guilford, CT 06437, or to CT Hospice, 100 Double Beach Road, Branford, CT  06405. Hawley Lincoln Memorial, Guilford, is in charge of arrangements.