Mary R Peppe

Mary Tenuto Peppe, 81, of Manor Heights, a devoted mother and grandmother who was known for her kind and thoughtful nature, died Thursday in the Clove Lakes Health Care and Rehabilitation Center, Castleton Corners, where she had resided since July.

Born in Brooklyn, Mrs. Peppe also lived in Oakwood before moving to Manor Heights in 1996.

She was the secretary to the president of the New York City District Council of Carpenters, Manhattan, for more than 20 years, retiring in 1997.

Mrs. Peppe loved to debate politics. She was always very well dressed and enjoyed shopping. But she loved her grandchildren above all else, family said.

"She had a heart of gold,'' said her son, Robert Tenuto. "She'd do anything for anybody. That's the ways she was her whole life.''

Mrs. Peppe was a parishioner of St. Rita's R.C. Church, Meiers Corners.

In addition to her son, Robert, she is survived by her sister, Gloria Spero, and two grandchildren.

The funeral will be Wednesday from the Casey Funeral Home, Castleton Corners, with a Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Rita's R.C. Church. Burial will be in St. John's Cemetery, Queens.