SANDRA JEAN SHEPARD (WEBSTER)

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SANDRA JEAN SHEPARD
(nee WEBSTER)
August 4, 1944 - March 24, 2020

Sandy Shepard passed peacefully in her sleep on March 24, 2020 after suffering a stroke.
She was born in Montreal, Canada on August 4, 1944 to Marguerite and Willard Webster, who preceded her in death. She was the eldest sibling to Anne and Kathy, who preceded her in death and Ross Webster (Krystyna), who lives in Winnipeg.
At eight years of age, Sandy moved to Winnipeg with her family. She was prolific in her studies, including a Bachelor of Science Degree in Child Development and Special Education. She then went on to earn a Master's Degree in Special Education at Brigham Young University, where she met her future husband, Chase Shepard. They married in the Salt Lake Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Utah, on February 24, 1972. They had one child, then adopted five children from Costa Rica, and then were blessed with two more children.
Sandy is survived by seven of her eight children, Dora Elizabeth having passed away in a car accident at 18 years of age. Sandy is survived by her children, Alexys (Michael Steiner), Chuck (Jennifer), Danny (Sara), Margaret (Justin Beardall), David (Terra), Jenny (Joseph Shackelford) and Lane (Katie), 23 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
Sandy was a passionate high school teacher at Timpview High School for 23 years in the Special Education Department, where she became the head of the department. At the young age of 59, she returned to school and received another Master's Degree as a Physician Assistant at Western University in California, and practiced for seven years prior to retiring. After retirement, she continued to enjoy learning medicine and kept up her license.
She is survived by her husband of 47 years, Chase, who has severe dementia. She spent almost half of each day with him in the care facility, feeding him, reading to him and sharing her always upbeat spirit with him.
Sandy made sure to keep her connection with Canada and her family strong by travelling with her children every summer to Moose Lake, Manitoba, to spend time at her family's lakeside cabin. Wonderful memories were made, as everyone picked fresh blueberries and ate Sandy's mouth-watering blueberry pies, swam, water-skied and canoed.
Sandy and Chase made it a point to travel as much as possible with their children. From long road trips across the United States, Canada and Mexico, to overseas trips in Europe, Asia and Australia. Sandy was also excited about genealogy and learning about her ancestors. She was devoted to temple work and continued to stay active in her community. One of her favourite roles in the Church was being in the Choir; she took great comfort in music.
Sandy was effervescent, generous and so very loving. She is deeply missed.
A celebration of her life will be held in Utah once gathering restrictions have been lifted.

As published in Winnipeg Free Press on Apr 04, 2020