It is with great sadness that the family of the late Mary Gwendalyn Sheppard (nee Gillard), age 86, of Springdale, NL announces her passing from the Valley Vista Senior Citizens Complex, on Thursday, January 21, 2021.

Mary Gwendalyn Sheppard was born in Twillingate, NL, to Elijah and Rowena Gillard, on June 30, 1934. She grew up in Gillard's Cove, Twillingate, and went fishing with her father many times. At age 16 Mary left Gillard's Cove to visit with her sister Lucy, already married to Leander Sheppard and living in Botwood, NL, this is where Mary met her husband to be, Lewis Sheppard brother of Leander.

Mary and Lewis were married shortly after and they lived in Botwood for a time before moving to Birchy Ridge; known today as Sheppardville. Mary and Lewis had eleven children, 25 grandchildren and 45 great-grandchildren.

After her and Lewis were married and started having children, she was a stay at home mom and wife; who took great pride in caring for her family. She took pride in caring for her family and enjoyed spending whatever time she could with them. Mary loved to cook and knit; another way of showing love and caring for her much loved family.

In her spare time, Mary would love to let her artistic ability show through in various paintings that she would do and enjoyed putting together a jigsaw puzzle a scatter time or two. Mary not only loved to paint but she also loved to go out and enjoy the great outdoors, while berry picking, gardening, and trouting; to name a few pleasure activities.

Mary's greatest love was for her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. She would love to attend church. Today, Mary, her husband Lewis and her loved ones who have gone on before her are forever together in Heaven.

Mary is predeceased by her husband Lewis Sheppard Sr.; son Lewis Sheppard Jr.; granddaughter Jillian Sheppard; parents Elijah and Rowena Gillard; son-in-law Randy Pess; sister Lucille Sheppard; brothers-in-law Arthur Coffin, Leander Sheppard.

She leaves to remember the wonderful life that she lived, her daughters Helen (Dale) Penney, Audrey (Boyce) Stuckless, Karen (Andrew) Roberts, Linda (Glenn) Rhodes, Cathy Pess, Marjorie (Bruce) Whitehead; sons Wilson (Peggy) Sheppard, Carl (Stella) Sheppard, Cyril (Cathy) Sheppard, Clyde (Mary) Sheppard, Chris Sheppard; 25 grandchildren; 45 great-grandchildren; sisters Marie (Bill) Vincent, Lillian Coffin; brother Calvin (Deanna) Gillard; nieces and nephews,  as well as other extended family and friends. She will be missed by her family and friends, but not forgotten.

"Ever Remembered, Ever Loved - Gone But Not Forgotten - Forever in our Hearts!"

The Celebration of Life service was held from Springdale Pentecostal Church, Springdale, on Saturday, January 23, 2021 at 1:30 pm with Pastor Bill Sampson officiating. Interment at the Grace United Church Cemetery, Cherry Crescent, Springdale. Pallbearers were son Carl Sheppard; grandson Morgan Stuckless; nephews Alfred Sheppard, Darren Sheppard; nephews-in-law Larry Kelly, Rocky Heath. Funeral Arrangements were entrusted to Elaine M. Rideout and Harry Oxford of Green Bay Funeral Home, Springdale.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic guidelines, the Celebration of Life Service for the late Mary Gwendalyn Sheppard (nee Gillard) will be for family and invited guests only.

Donations: In lieu of flowers donations in Mary's memory can be given to World Vision Canada by visiting:

https://www.worldvision.ca/