Connie Shepard

SHEPARD, CONNIE…

In loving memory of Connie Shepard (nee Colleen Dolan), who passed away, on Thursday, October 31, 2024.  Predeceased by her first husband, Bruce, her daughters Barb (Tom) and Cath and her second husband John Murray. She will be lovingly remembered by her daughters Pat, and Jan (Brad); her grandchildren Matt and Kelly, Chris and Mellisa, Meg and Mike, Dan and Nicole and Andrew and Terra; and her great grandchildren Emma, Owen, Caitlynn, Allie, Graydon, Ivy, Amelia and Eden.

Colleen Dolan was born in Vasser, Michigan on September 11, 1924, to Ruth Warner. She was raised lovingly by her maternal grandparents Gus and Adelsi Warner until the age of five. She had many fond memories of life with her grandparents which included walks to the park with her grandpa and being called inside by her grandma.

She was moved to Detroit when her mother remarried.  She had a wonderful relationship with her brothers Howard, Bob and Larry which was maintained until their deaths despite living far away from each other.

When she started her first job as a teenager, her employer inadvertently misstated her name as Connie.  As she had never liked her birthname, she was happy to be known thereafter as Connie.

During WWII, Connie attended a dance for troops in Detroit and met a handsome Lieutenant in the Canadian navy. His name was Bruce Shepard. Ever the gentleman, when she visited Bruce in Montreal, he paid for her room in a separate hotel from his and upgraded her return train ticket to first class. After a whirl wind courtship, common during the war, they married.

Connie loved and respected her father-in-law Alfred and mother-in-law Violet. In particular, Connie admired and was inspired by her mother-in-law’s sophistication and intellect.  She, in many respects, modeled herself after her Violet. She was great friends with her in-laws Dorathy, Doug, Bob and Terry. She was an avid card player and loved to win.

Connie wanted to marry a man who would be very good to their children.  She chose very well.  Connie and Bruce were wonderful parents to four daughters.

Connie took her commitment to her new country very seriously.  When Bruce indicated he was going to vote for John Diefenbaker, Connie decided it was time to become a Canadian citizen, so she could vote.  She always knew her own mind.

Bruce’s family had a long tradition of cottaging in Muskoka.  In the early 1960s, Connie and Bruce were able to buy a portion of Stonewall Island on Lake Muskoka and build a family cottage compound.  The cottage was a very important part of their, their daughters and grandchildrens’ lives for many years.  The close bonds among the members of the extended Shepard family are directly attributable to the vacation times shared on Stonewall Island.

For a woman whose family meant everything, the loss of Bruce and her daughters Barb and Cath to cancer was devastating; a loss that was always with her.

Pat, Jan and family would like to thank the exceptional women of Extended Families for watching over Mom in her final year. She considered them friends and the family were comforted knowing that she was cared for by a talented team. A celebration of life will be held at A. Millard George Funeral Home Reception Centre, 60 Ridout Street South, London on Friday, November 8, 2024, from 12:00 to 2:00 pm. A light lunch will be served. She will be interned in a private ceremony at Mount Pleasant Cemetery in London, Ontario. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Colorectal Cancer Canada or Pancreatic Cancer Canada. Online condolences, memories and photographs shard at www.amgfh.com