Life Story for Gwen A. Rocque (Alabaster)
Gwen Alabaster Rocque, 71 of New Rochelle, New York died on December 5th after a brave struggle with pancreatic and liver cancer.
Gwen is survived by Lawrence Rocque, her husband of fifty years, mother to Jeffrey Webster Rocque (Lorie), Holly Rocque Bach (Chris) and proud, loving grandmother to Isabella Rocque, Charlie, Caroline, Mac and Caitlin Bach.
She is also survived by her sisters Robbin Alabaster Churchill (John) and Erica Alabaster Graves.
Gwen was born in Rockville Center, New York, daughter of the late Evelyn Hohler Alabaster and Robert Bliss Alabaster.
A graduate of the New York School for the Deaf in White Plains, New York, Gwen then taught at her alma mater for 27 years. Becoming "Teacher of the Year" and a dedication to her in the school year book were just a few of the many accolades given to her at the school. She was loved by all students, teachers and the administration. She was chosen staff member of the year in 2011. Larry and Gwen were given the Fanwood Lifetime Friendship Award in 2019.
Despite her deafness, Gwen excelled at everything she tried. She was an accomplished swimmer, skier, and tennis player. She represented the United States four times in tennis, participating in the 1965 Deaf Olympics in Washington D.C. as the youngest player at the age of 16 years old. In Yugoslavia, she won 2 golds and a silver. In Malmo, Sweden she won bronze and a gold. In Romania, she had the honor of being the flag bearer as well as winning a gold, silver and bronze.
In 1985, Gwen coached the U.S deaf tennis team which went on to win 10 medals. Gwen was inducted into the Fanwood Alumni Association for her tennis accomplishments.
Family, friends, and all who knew her will miss her spirit, her smile, laughter, exuberant personality and love of fun and life!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sloan Kettering, www.giving.mskcc.org
New York School for the Deaf at 555 Knollwood Road White Plains, NY. 10603 or Millneck School for the Deaf at 40 Frost Mill Road, Mill Neck N.Y 11765
Gwen is survived by Lawrence Rocque, her husband of fifty years, mother to Jeffrey Webster Rocque (Lorie), Holly Rocque Bach (Chris) and proud, loving grandmother to Isabella Rocque, Charlie, Caroline, Mac and Caitlin Bach.
She is also survived by her sisters Robbin Alabaster Churchill (John) and Erica Alabaster Graves.
Gwen was born in Rockville Center, New York, daughter of the late Evelyn Hohler Alabaster and Robert Bliss Alabaster.
A graduate of the New York School for the Deaf in White Plains, New York, Gwen then taught at her alma mater for 27 years. Becoming "Teacher of the Year" and a dedication to her in the school year book were just a few of the many accolades given to her at the school. She was loved by all students, teachers and the administration. She was chosen staff member of the year in 2011. Larry and Gwen were given the Fanwood Lifetime Friendship Award in 2019.
Despite her deafness, Gwen excelled at everything she tried. She was an accomplished swimmer, skier, and tennis player. She represented the United States four times in tennis, participating in the 1965 Deaf Olympics in Washington D.C. as the youngest player at the age of 16 years old. In Yugoslavia, she won 2 golds and a silver. In Malmo, Sweden she won bronze and a gold. In Romania, she had the honor of being the flag bearer as well as winning a gold, silver and bronze.
In 1985, Gwen coached the U.S deaf tennis team which went on to win 10 medals. Gwen was inducted into the Fanwood Alumni Association for her tennis accomplishments.
Family, friends, and all who knew her will miss her spirit, her smile, laughter, exuberant personality and love of fun and life!
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Sloan Kettering, www.giving.mskcc.org
New York School for the Deaf at 555 Knollwood Road White Plains, NY. 10603 or Millneck School for the Deaf at 40 Frost Mill Road, Mill Neck N.Y 11765