Gytha Rock Darconte, 70, of Staten Island, died December 28. Born Gytha M. Rock in Oxford, England, she was 3 years old when she immigrated with her family to the United States, moving to the Bronx, and then settling in Newtown in 1951. 

She was the runner-up for the Miss Newtown contest in 1962, and graduated from Newtown High School that same year. She attended the University of Bridgeport. 

She began work for UPS in a pioneer role as its first female driver. She had a 30-year career with UPS, rising through the ranks to become an executive, the first woman in management at UPS.  She retired at age 50.

She and Eugene M. Darconte met in 2003, became friends, and then fell in love. They wed in 2005 in Christ Episcopal Church on Staten Island, where they lived.

“She was a wonderful person, and everyone loved her,” said her husband Eugene.

Ms Darconte enjoyed being a member of the board of the Alice Austen House Museum, where she took a vital part in fundraising and other supportive endeavors. She will be honored on February 12th at the Alice Austin House for her many years of service.

She was an active member of Church of the Ascension, where she was a member of the vestry and a warden. She was also very involved with fundraising events that raised funds for scholarships for summer camp for children.

In her leisure time she enjoyed bowling, singing, and gardening. Ms Darconte was dedicated to her church, community, and family.

Surviving, along with her husband of ten years, are her mother, Joan Rock; her sister, Jill Rock Smith; stepdaughters Cara Velez and Deanna Mielnicki; two granddaughters; and a niece.

Funeral arrangements for the January 2 memorial service were made by Harmon Home for Funerals, Staten Island.