Elizabeth Ann Pepe, 87, a lifetime resident of the valley, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, November 22, 2014. She was the beloved wife of Attorney Pasquale A. Pepe for 63 years.
Elizabeth was born on August 27, 1927, the daughter of the late Albert B. Gardella and Anna Spargo Gardella. Her sister Rita Bilinski of Ansonia predeceased her.
Elizabeth graduated from Ansonia High School class of 1944, Albertus Magnus College class of 1948, and earned an M.A. from the University of Bridgeport. Elizabeth taught school for over 20 years beginning her career at Laurelton Hall, Milford, and then as a 5th and 3rd grade teacher in the Ansonia Public Schools system.
Besides being the loving mother of six children and all the myriad duties that entailed, Elizabeth found the time to serve on the PTA. She was an active member of Holy Rosary Church, Ansonia serving as a Reader and Eucharistic Minister as well as serving on the Cana and Pro Life Committees. She also volunteered her time to record textbooks for the blind.
She was an avid reader and read as many as two books per week. She loved to talk about all varieties of books she read and enjoyed lending them out. Elizabeth had a caring nature. She loved little children, especially infants. She would become overjoyed at the sight of a baby in its mother’s arms. She had a fondness for dogs. Elizabeth also always reached out to assist any handicapped person.
As the children grew older, Elizabeth and Pasquale travelled to many destinations in the United States to attend the annual conventions of the 8th Armored Division in which her husband served in World War II.
She also enjoyed spending a few winters in Florida and enjoyed vacationing with her family on Lake Zoar every summer.
Survivors besides her husband, Pasquale, are sons Pat, Jr. (Debbie) of Sandy Hook; Albert (Donna) of Oxford; Michael (Patricia) of Cheshire; Anthony “Nino” (Jill) of Sherman; and daughters Marie (Vic) of Waxhaw, NC; and Anne (John) of Richardson, TX. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Christopher and Daniel Theriault, John, Carol and Margaret Brady, Christina, Angela, Justin, Michael, Jr., and Nicole Pepe. Survivors include sisters Teresa O’Brien (Michigan) and Estelle Lombardi (West Virginia) and 16 nieces and nephews.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Wednesday Nov. 26 at 10:00 a.m. with friends asked to go directly to Holy Rosary Church, Father Salemi Drive, Ansonia. Burial will follow in Mt. St. Peter’s Cemetery, Derby. Friends may call on Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Jenkins King & Malerba Funeral Home, 12 Franklin St. Ansonia. (www.jenkinskingfh.com)
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Alzheimer’s Association Connecticut Chapter 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100 Rocky Hill, CT 06067 – 2338 or the Macular Degeneration Foundation P.O. Box 531313 Henderson, Nevada 89053.
