LaGrangeville Mourns After Unexpected Death of Devoted Mother Rebecca Ann Pepe

The town of LaGrangeville is feeling a little quieter this week. People are trying to process the sudden loss of Rebecca Ann Pepe, a woman who seemed to be the heart of every room she walked into. Rebecca passed away unexpectedly at her home on December 21, 2025. At just 53 years old, her death has left a hole in the community that friends say will be impossible to fill.

Rebecca wasn’t just a resident here; she was a staple of the neighborhood. Born in Monmouth, New Jersey, back in 1972, she eventually found her way to Ketcham High School where she graduated in 1990. She was the kind of person who kept her friends for life. Even after moving on to Hofstra University and joining the Delta Phi Epsilon sorority, she stayed connected to the people who mattered most. She was a woman of deep roots and even deeper loyalty.

If you knew Rebecca, you knew that her daughters, Morgan and Jocelyn, were her entire world. She lived for their milestones, whether it was a big graduation or just a quiet Tuesday night at home. She had this way of making her girls feel like they were the most important people on the planet. Her husband, Anthony, was the love of her life. They married in 2002 and built a life in LaGrangeville that was centered on faith, family, and a lot of laughter.

Neighbors remember her as a woman of immense grace. She had a gentle spirit and a genuine interest in how people were doing. She was a regular at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, where her faith guided how she treated others. Whether it was a quick smile at the grocery store or a long, thoughtful conversation over coffee, Rebecca made sure people felt seen. It’s that kindness that everyone is talking about now as they gather to say goodbye.

The house on Route 82 will be busy this Sunday. The family is welcoming friends at McHoul Funeral Home from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. to share stories and shed a few tears. On Monday morning at 11 a.m., a funeral Mass will be held at St. Kateri’s. It’s expected to be a full house, filled with the many people whose lives she touched over the years. She will be laid to rest at St. Denis Cemetery shortly after.
Rebecca leaves behind a large, loving family, including her parents,

Keith and Jeanette Walter, and her brother, Matthew. The list of cousins, in-laws, nieces, and nephews who will miss her is long. She was the glue that held many of their family gatherings together. Even the local animals might feel the loss, as Rebecca was known for her soft spot for dogs and her love for fresh-cut flowers that always brightened up her home.

In a final tribute to her kind soul, the family is asking that people consider donating to Care of DC, a dog shelter in Wappingers Falls, instead of sending flowers. It’s a fitting way to honor a woman who spent her life looking out for others. LaGrangeville has lost a bright light, but the impact Rebecca Ann Pepe made on her family and friends is something that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.