Elizabeth (Pepe) Emde

Elizabeth (Pepe) Emde, of Weymouth, passed away in her home surrounded by her loving family on September 2, 2025. She was 92.

Known as Betty for all of her life, she was born in the West End of Boston in 1933. She had many fond memories growing up in this vibrant community with family and friends and often shared stories about her life there. Upon her father Giuseppe's death in 1942, Giulia, Betty’s mother, moved Betty and her family to Weymouth, and she lived there most of her life. Betty was proud to tell others about working at an insurance company upon graduating high school on some of the first IBM computers as a card punch operator. Later, she became a nationally recognized collector of buttons and was a member of the National Button Society for over 50 years where she made several friends across the country. Betty was also well known as a studio button maker, making buttons out of such things as cross stitch patterns, neckties, cloth, and paper decoupaged on wood. Though she loved to collect many things, make crafts and spend time at a writing class with her siblings, what she loved most was sharing a cup of tea or meal with her loved ones.

Betty was the beloved wife of the late John W. Emde and the loving mother of Judy Emde of Weymouth and Steven Emde and his wife, Rachel, of Brockton.

She was the sister of the late Vincent Pepe, Louise Perriello, Carmella LoPresti, Adeline Faraci, Joseph Pepe, Salvatore Pepe, and William Pepe.

Betty is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and great nieces and nephews.

The family also wants to thank Tracy Castro who provided Betty such loving and compassionate care over the past year.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to greet the family during the visiting hours on Sunday 9/7/2025 from 2-5 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home EAST WEYMOUTH at 3 Charles Street (corner of Charles & Middle Street).

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in the funeral home at 10 AM on Monday 9/8/2025 prior to the Funeral Mass in Immaculate Conception Church, Weymouth at 10:30 AM.

Burial will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Weymouth.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to your favorite charity in Elizabeth’s name