Mae L. Roche DePalma, 92; Lifelong New Canaan Resident Who Grew Up in the 'Rocheville' Neighborhood of Silvermine

Mae L. Roche DePalma passed away on February 8, 2014. She was 92. 

Born March 5, 1921, Mae was the youngest and last surviving daughter of Charles and Amelia Roche. 

Mae grew up on the banks of the Silvermine River in the area then known locally as Rocheville because of the many members of her family who had lived there since the mid-19th century. Mae's active childhood included a passion for swimming in the river in her back yard like generations before and after her. 

Mae and her sisters, Edith and Letty, attended a one room schoolhouse on the New Canaan side of the river, and later progressed to New Canaan High School. There Mae met local sports hero Dominick "Skeeter" DePalma. When Skeeter entered the Army in World War II, Mae followed him to Little Rock, AR, where they married. Mae was undaunted having to start her married life residing in a converted hen house near the post. 

After the war, Mae and Skeeter settled back in New Canaan, where they raised daughters Mayetta and Emmy. Never one to sit idle, Mae had a career as a bookkeeper for local establishments, including Weed & Duryea, the F.B. Morse Agency, Karl Buick, Louis Lee Company, the Lake Club and the Low Heywood Thomas School. 

She is survived by her daughter Emmy, and by her grandchildren, Jonas and Timothy St. John, Elizabeth Naylor and Sasha Hastings. 

In addition to Skeeter, Mae was predeceased by her daughter Mayetta St. John. 

Visiting hours will take place from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 15, at Hoyt Funeral Home, 199 Main St., New Canaan. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Lt. John Corr Memorial Award Fund, c/o Tom Sinchak, Esq., 30 Deacons Lane, Wilton CT 06897