Patricia Ann Todd Pepper

Her path eventually led her to Washington, D.C., during one of the most consequential seasons in American political life. In the fall of 1960, she served as secretary to then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson as he campaigned for the vice presidency. When John F. Kennedy was elected, she continued in that role under the new administration and had the distinction of attending President Kennedy’s inauguration.Following the historic address, she served as an administrative assistant for Kennedy’s newly formed Peace Corps.

In August 1962, she married Jack Carl Pepper, of Brooklyn, New York, in her Kentucky hometown. They met two years earlier at a party in Washington, D.C., where Pat was smitten by the baby grand piano in Jack’s apartment. She and Jack shared a love for music that wove itself like a second language through their 52-year marriage. They lived in Washington, D.C. during the early years of their marriage, but after their first child was born, they moved across the country for Jack’s career as legal tax director of an international mining company in San Francisco. They made their home in San Mateo, California, where they had two more daughters. During her children’s elementary years, Pat volunteered as PTA president and at a community outreach program called Bells for Mental Health. She taught young students piano in her home, and then ultimately found her calling and passion as Executive Director for the Performing Arts for Youth Society (PAYS) charity.“The PAYS lady,” as she was known to thousands of elementary students, brought musical and cultural performances to San Mateo County School Districts at low or no cost to students. Pat was pivotal in expanding arts education throughout the area. Among Pat’s happiest times were summer vacations in Big Trees, California.

In 1982, the five Peppers moved to Dover, Massachusetts, where Pat continued to teach piano and endeavored to build more friendships while keeping her teenage girls engaged with music lessons. Yet California called once more and they made one final move in 1985 that brought Pat and Jack back to their San Mateo home, where they lived for the rest of their lives. Jack’s retirement in 1994 provided them the opportunity to travel to Singapore, London, Morocco, Provence, Turkey, and Egypt, as well as many National Parks in the U.S. The treasures and artifacts they brought back filled their home, which became an iconic archival museum of their lives. Jack preceded her in death in 2014.

Patricia was a woman of deep Christian faith and a cherished member of the Congregational Church of San Mateo, California, throughout her life. She spent extraordinary time on many of its committees, and had a years-long relationship with Music and Art. Pat gave special devotion to the youth program fundraising for the San Francisco Symphony. In 2016, she was recognized with the distinction of Volunteer of the Year. Pat’s love of literature was expressed in her Book Group circle, made up of some of her earliest California friends. She especially enjoyed hosting many of their monthly breakfast meetings, where she would share her famous baked sweet treats. A lover of poetry — particularly the works of Robert Frost — she brought the same thoughtfulness to her reading as she did to everything else: careful, warm, and quietly luminous. Pat was a familiar and welcome sight in her neighborhood, walking her usual route while pausing to catch up with friends and offering affection to their dogs. She involved herself intensely in the lives of her grandchildren - attending school performances and sports, babysitting, and graciously hosting multitudes of family celebrations and Sunday dinners. Throughout her life, even once California became her home, Pat never lost her southern charm and generosity. Playfully teased by her grandchildren over her funny pronunciations of everyday words, Pat interlaced her southern style with the golden hue of her California home.

She is survived by her daughters Sarah (Andy) Block, Carol (Troy) Lambson, and Catherine Burdette; and by her grandchildren Alyssa Block, Lindsay Block, William Lambson, Henry Lambson, and Sawyer Burdette.

Pat was laid to rest on Friday, March 6, 2026, at St. John’s Cemetery in San Mateo, California. She leaves behind a family shaped by her enduring love of music, children, family, friends, and home. Her deep faith in God sustained her through nine decades lived fully and well. She had a gift for warmth that was entirely her own — the kind that made every room a little brighter simply because she was in it. She will be deeply missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.

A celebration of her life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 9, 2026, at the Congregational Church of San Mateo, California.

Donations in Pat’s memory can be made to:

San Francisco Symphony: Education and Community Programs

Congregational Church of San Mateo: Music Programs

Samaritan House of San Mateo