Ernestine Louise Pepin

1926 - 2026

Ernestine Louise Pepin is now with the angels. Steeny, as everyone called her, passed from this life after a short illness on March 27th. She was 100 years old.  She had already made it clear to us that she was ready to exit this world.  

And how do we remember her?  She was gentle and kind, patient and strong.  She loved history, genealogy, and girl scouting.   She loved to laugh. She loved a vodka-and-tonic (or two) at five o’clock.  She loved any kind of puzzle.  She loved parties and champagne.  She loved to look out on Lake Memphremagog.  And of course, there was us, her family whom she adored.

Ernestine Louise Rolls was born on January 25, 1926 in Washington D.C. and spent her childhood there with loving parents, a younger sister Rosemary and brother James.  Her father, Dr. James Alfred Rolls, died young from ALS in 1944 when she was 18.  Her mother, J. Ernestine Rolls, lived to 93.  After high school she studied chemistry at Middlebury College, graduating in 1947.  She made many life-long friends at Middlebury and they continued to meet and celebrate throughout the years.  Those folks would do anything for each other. 

She lived in Boston with those friends in her early 20’s, walking most days across the Longfellow Bridge to her job as a lab assistant at M.I.T.  One of those friends, Jean Taggert, met an old friend from Middlebury by the name of Andy Pepin.  She invited him over and very shortly after, Andy and Steeny became a couple. They were perfect for each other.  He had a wonderful sense of humor, full of jokes and stories, and she loved to laugh.  Add to that an abiding admiration and respect and you have a long, happy marriage.  

Andy and Steeny married in 1952.  Not being Catholic, Steeny was compelled to study Catholicism in order to marry him.  That annoyed her.  “OK”, she said to Andy, “you are in charge of the children’s Catholic upbringing.”  Anyone wonder how well that worked out?   Andy had just set up his law practice in Newport, so he brought his new bride to “the end of the world” according to the city girl from D.C.  Of course, she was warmly welcomed by lots of Pepins and many friends.  Three children: Laura in 1954, Nancy in 1956, and Jim in 1958 filled her life with all the activities of motherhood, but Andy and Steeny always made time for parties.  Two famous 1960’s era Halloween parties in the Pepin home were complete hits with hilarious photos.  

Steeny became involved in supporting girl scouting in Newport and worked with the state organization to help train the leaders.  She volunteered at North Country Hospital, helping out when she could.  She also became involved with the Memphremagog Historical Society and worked hard to preserve artifacts, documents and newspapers that documented Newport History. Steeny and fellow genealogist Sandy McKenny made their genealogy services available to many who wanted to investigate their ancestors.    

Steeny was predeceased by her parents, brother Jim Rolls, by all her Pepin brothers-and-sisters-in-law, by many close friends including Tom and Yvette Rooney, the Middlebury crowd, and many, many others.

She is survived by her husband, Andrew Pepin, her sister Rosemary Colston, and her sister-in-law Gloria Rolls.  She is also survived by her children Laura, Nancy, and Jim, their spouses, Markus Vogt, Mark Dolson, three grandchildren, Sarah Pohl, Rebekah Pepin, and Emily Dolson, and five great-grandchildren: Braden, Carter, Lucas, Noelle, and Theo. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly.  

A celebration of life will be held at a later date.  If friends desire, memorial contributions in Steeny’s name may be made to the Memphremagog Historical Society of Newport (P.O. Box 741, Newport, VT 05855). 

Online condolences are welcomed at curtis-britch.com.