Obituary of Mary L. Sheppard

Passed peacefully away at the Health Science Centre, St. John's on Monday, April 7, 2025, Mary L. Sheppard of Harbour Grace, age 95 years. Pre-deceased by husband: Leslie H. Sheppard; parents: Graham and Susie Ash; brothers: Arthur (Ada) Ash and Theodore "Ted" (Flora) Ash. Leaving to mourn; sons: Graham (Josephine) and Derrick (Jacqueline); grandchildren: Graham, Kathryn (Shane), Christian (Danielle) and Alexandria (Michael); great-grandchildren: Kai, Jack, Ocsar and Isla; brother-in-law: Clyde Hillier; sister-in-law: Winnifred Thoms; special nephew Bill Ash; Mimi’s treasures Aria, Theo and Lupin; also a large number of nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Mary, a pillar of the Harbour Grace community, found great joy in helping others. In her early days as a leader of Girl Guides, a telephone operator for the former Avalon Telephone Company, and active member of St. Paul’s Church, Mary’s beautiful young heart touched the lives of many. She was the bright young lady behind the counter of Graham Ash’s store on Harvey Street. Then she married Leslie H. Sheppard. Together they raised two sons, Graham and Derrick, and instilled in them the values of community life, learning and family. This was illustrated by her active involvement in the Fire Brigade Ladies Auxiliary, Masonic Ladies, St. Paul’s School Breakfast Program, Womens’ Institute, Carbonear Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, St. Paul’s Altar Guild, Coffee Girls and her tireless contribution to many community activities. Mother’s lifelong devotion to the Anglican Church and ACW was her foundation. Her recreational pursuits were daunting. She played tennis, ladies hockey (before it was popular), and skated well into her senior years. She could throw, catch, hit and run with amazing athleticism. Always a card player, Mary would be found at all the local card games. At age 70, she learned to play bridge. Stories abound of her keen card sense, being a partner of choice. Mary lives on in the hearts and minds of her family and friends. She was youthful, fun loving, non-judgemental, accepting of people and change, and a friend to all. A fiercely proud, Harbour Gracian, Mary L. Sheppard was, above all, a parent, grandparent, and great grandparent. We dearly miss her. Visitation at Noel's Funeral Home, Harvey Street, Harbour Grace on Friday, April 11 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m., 7:00 to 9:00 p.m., Saturday, April 12 from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m. Funeral service to take place on Saturday, April 12 at 2:00 p.m. from St. Paul's Anglican Church, Harbour Grace. Interment in St. Paul's Anglican Cemetery, Harbour Grace. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, donations in her memory may be made to St. Paul's Anglican Church, P.O Box 28, Harbour Grace, NL, A0A 2M0. The funeral service will be livestreamed on the following website: https://tom0349.wixsite.com/streamingservices/noels (Please note this is not a link, and will have to be copied and pasted to your browser.)