Obituary for Anna Ruth Pepper Anna Ruth Pepper, formerly of O’Hara, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 16,2018, surrounded by her family. She was born on May 2,1928, to Alphonsus Joseph Nairn and Anna Ruth Ryan. Anna Ruth married her soulmate, Andrew Joseph Pepper, in 1958, and was a resident of O’Hara for 53 years.
She and her husband loved to travel and entertain family and friends at their home. Anna Ruth graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania with a degree in teaching. She taught for several years in the Penn Hills School District.
Her expertise was math, but she also taught English. She took exceptional pride in teaching and really loved her students; it was mutual. She also worked for Bell Telephone, but teaching was her real love.
When she decided to raise a family, she moved a very large chalkboard to her kitchen wall. Her kitchen became the classroom not only for her own children, but also for neighborhood children, nieces, and nephews. She would often say, “If you solve this math problem, then you can have homemade cookies or chocolate candy”.
Family and friends joked about Anna Ruth’s love of chocolate. It could be found in every kitchen cabinet and drawer. All the children knew about the chocolate, too, which only enhanced their learning experience.
Of course, her students, sometimes, received more education than they bargained for because she loved poetry and often quoted her favorite poets. Her interests over the years included bridge, reading, music, and family vacations. Anna Ruth loved rock ‘n’ roll as much as classical music, and she wasn’t shy to convince her kids to sing along with her to her favorite songs on the radio.
She was both an excellent cook and baker. Though her days were busy with various activities, she always made it a point to be home for her children after school. Anna Ruth, also, had a passion for shopping.
She loved shopping so much that she would even shop for friends and relatives if she saw a bargain. She was a devoted wife, loving mother, loyal friend, and a woman of strong faith and valor. She will be sorely missed by all who knew her.
Her sense of humor was brilliant, and her laugh and smile were contagious. One of Anna Ruth’s favorite quotes was by Scottish poet, Robert Burns. “0 would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us”.
She is one of God’s Angels, now, and that is exactly how her family and friends will always remember her. If you knew Anna Ruth, you would know John Crowe Ransom’s poem, “Here Lies A Lady” described her well. “Here lies a lady of beauty and high degree.
Sweet ladies, long may ye bloom, and toughly I hope ye may thole. In love and great honor we bade God rest her soul,” Anna Ruth Pepper was the quintessential lady, the most incredible Mom. Anna Ruth was the beloved mother of Christopher A. Pepper, Mary Elizabeth(John) Spires and Andrew J. Pepper, Jr. Preceding her in death are her husband, Andrew Joseph Pepper; a brother, Alphonsus Joseph “Joe” Nairn; a sister, Mary Patricia Platt; and a brother, Dr. John Patrick Nairn.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. Professional Services by Thomas M. Smith Funeral Home and Crematory Ltd., Blawnox. The family respectfully suggests remembrances be made to Blest Are Thee: 2249 Walters Road, Allison Park PA 15101, Attention: Edith Solomon.
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