Rose Marie Pepper

Rose Marie (O'Brien) Pepper, 85, of Camillus, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 21, 2016 at Iroquois Nursing Home. Born in Utica on July 13, 1930, she was the daughter of John D. O'Brien and Marie (O'Connor) O'Brien. Rose Marie graduated from Utica Catholic Academy and was salutatorian of her class in 1948. She received a bachelor's degree from The College of St. Rose in 1952 and earned her master's degree in education from Syracuse University. She began her teaching career at Kemble School in Utica. On April 16, 1955, Rose Marie married Richard "Dick" Pepper and relocated to the Syracuse area. She later resumed her teaching career at St. James School in Syracuse where she taught Social Studies from 1970-1984. Her many interests included gardening, crocheting, musical theatre and attending the Syracuse Symphony. An avid reader, she also was a SU basketball fan, crossword puzzle solver and loved all things associated with her Irish heritage. Rose Marie and Dick loved the Adirondacks, which is where they met. They enjoyed over 30 years at their summer cottage in Otter Lake, NY that was built by Dick. Upon retirement, they loved traveling, especially to Ireland and England, and winters in Sanibel Island, Florida. Rose Marie loved her Catholic faith. A communicant of St. Joseph's Church, she served as lector, Eucharistic minister and was a member of the Altar & Rosary Society. Above all, Rose Marie loved spending time with her family and was the proud grandmother of two sets of twins and a great-grandson. Rose Marie was predeceased by her parents; infant son, John; husband of 45 years, Dick, in 2000; and grandson, John Pepper, in 2001. Surviving are her daughter, Ann (Bill) Vogan of Syracuse; son, Richard (Susan) Jr. of Camillus; grandchildren, Sarah (Joe) Leone of East Syracuse and Olivia and Kate Vogan of Syracuse; and great-grandson, John Leone. The family would like to express their appreciation to the staff at Iroquois Nursing Home for their kind and compassionate care during Rose Marie's stay. Relatives and friends may call Tuesday, May 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Buranich Funeral Home, 5431 W. Genesee St., Camillus. A funeral Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, May 25 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Camillus. Rose Marie will be laid to rest in St. Mary's Cemetery, DeWitt. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Assn. of CNY, 441 W. Kirkpatrick St., Syracuse, NY 13204.