Obituary of Viola C. Pepper

Viola C Pepper died peacefully March 28, 2011 at the Conesus Lake Nursing Home in Livonia at age 102. Vi Pepper was born in Rochester, NY on November 19, 1908 the daughter of Byron and Jennie (Ferrell) Crane. Very early in life she knew she wanted to be a kindergarten teacher. After graduation from the New York State Normal School at Brockport (now SUNY Brockport) in 1928, she started her career. At age 21, she accepted a kindergarten position in Niagara Falls, teaching there for 10 years before moving back to Rochester. Vi substituted in many Rochester Schools. Later she accepted a position at the No. 7 School kindergarten where she had attended grammar school as a child. During her years at No. 7 School, Vi held many "guided observations" in her classroom. She volunteered to take students from area colleges into her classroom for instruction and participation. She was considered a "Master Teacher" and her classroom was a model for all area school kindergartens. At the time of racial integration into the Rochester schools, she worked with educators to help with a smooth transition. Viola was a pioneer in the Head Start Program, teaching in the inner city for the summers. She retired at the age of 65 after 10 years of teaching in Niagara Falls and 33 years in the Rochester City School District. A total of 43 years and "I loved every day." she said. At the age of 82, through a program at Grace Methodist Church, Vi was a volunteer helping children with reading difficulties to be come good readers at the No. 34 School. At 92 she became a volunteer and "Friend" of Rochester Childfirst Network (formerly Rochester Children's Nursery) and became known as "Grandma" to children as well as staff. She truly loved her relationship with RCN and continued to occasionally volunteer her time to the children in its classrooms. Viola was predeceased by her husband, Lewis "Pete" and her son, Roger Pepper in 1996. She is survived by her daughter, Suzanne (Bruce) Smalling of Piffard, Bruce's mother, Catherine Smalling of Livonia, grandsons, David, Stephen and Peter (Julie) Smalling, great grandchildren, Carson, Brenden, Zachary, Ellisa and Jered Smalling, nieces, Cathy Crane and Nancy Browning, nephew, Stephen Crane, beloved close friends Sandy (Mike) Powers. No prior calling hours. Memorial Service Sunday April 10, 2011 at 2 PM at Geneseo United Methodist Church, Rt. 63. Private Interment, Temple Hill Cemetery, in Geneseo. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Rochester Childfirst Network, 941 South Ave., Rochester, NY 14620 or a charity of one's choice.