Marlene Rouleau

In Loving Memory of Marlene Rose (Debrot) Rouleau - April 21, 1941 – June 2, 2026

It is with deep sorrow and overflowing love that we announce the passing of our beloved Marlene, a devoted wife, extraordinary mother, nana, cherished daughter, sister, aunt, and treasured friend. She left this world peacefully on June 2, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

Marlene was the heart of our family — her laughter warmed our home, her wisdom guided our steps, and her unconditional love was the foundation on which we all stood. She lived with quiet strength and fierce grace, always putting others before herself, and filling every room she entered with kindness and light.

Born in Torrington, Connecticut, Marlene was a woman of deep faith, enduring compassion, and unshakable character. She developed a love for the water at a very young age when she joined the YMCA’s girls swim team. There she set some AAU records, competed in the nationals, and even taught swim classes once she started a family of her own. She kept her YMCA membership active right through her senior years. The water wasn’t her only interest — she was game for anything, and it wasn’t about winning; it was simply about participating.

It was on Highland Lake, in their mid-teens, when Marlene met the love of her life, John J. Rouleau (Jack). Their love of the water and water sports is what caused their love story to unfold. It was on that lake that they enjoyed their friends in the Laurel Water Ski Club, canoeing, triathlons, paddle boarding, and even ice-skating, snowmobiling, and cross-country skiing in the winter months. They eventually built their dream lake house, which quickly became the family lake home — the place where endless laughter and memories are made, year after year, generation after generation.

Marlene and Jack shared 65 beautiful years of marriage — a partnership grounded in mutual respect, laughter, and unwavering devotion. Together they built a life rich in love and simple joys.

As a mother, she was our greatest champion — encouraging our dreams, comforting our fears, and most of all reinforcing the importance of family and the bonds that have kept us all so close. She leaves behind her children John Rouleau Jr. and his wife Tammy, Deborah Pauroso and her husband Daniel, Annette Janco and her husband Robert, Scott Rouleau and his wife Brigitte, and Renee Lemieux; her cherished grandchildren Lauren Gant (Denayr), Lindsey Clifford (Wes), Cameron Rouleau, Jackson Pauroso, Annelise Pauroso, Marah Pauroso, Matthieu Janco (Katie), Alex Janco (Lindsay), Megan Symolon (Daniel), Nicholas Lemieux (Betsey), Joel Lemieux, and Olivia Lemieux; and nine precious great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister Dede Barta, Rhoda Rouleau Aurora Rouleau, and numerous nieces and nephews. Marlene was preceded in death by her sister Lorraine Horsch and her parents Marcel and Alda Debrot.

To know Marlene was to be seen, to be valued, and to be loved. Whether through a home-cooked meal, a handwritten note, or a quiet moment of understanding, she made everyone feel special. Her presence was a gift. Her absence will be felt daily.

Though our hearts are broken, we will find comfort in knowing that her love continues to surround us, woven into every memory and moment we shared. We will honor her by living our lives with the same grace and kindness she so effortlessly gave. Her light here on earth may have dimmed, but it will shine brightly in the lives of all who loved her.

Our family deeply appreciates the kindness and dignity shown by staff at The Cottage at Litchfield Hills for their wonderful support. We also wish to thank the nurses at Brighton Hospice for their compassionate care on this final journey.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, June 11, 2026, with the cortege leaving at 10:30 a.m. from Cook Funeral Home, 82 Litchfield St., Torrington, CT to St. Francis of Assisi Church, (St. John Paul the Great Parish) 160 Main St., Torrington, CT for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m.  Burial will be private.  Relatives and friends may call on Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Cook Funeral Home.

To conclude Jack said, “There better be a lake in heaven!”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

- Alzheimer’s Foundation of America (www.alzfdn.org)

- St John Paul the Great Parish (St. Francis Church), 160 Main St., Torrington, CT 06790

- Brighten Hospice – Connecticut (brightonhospice.com)