Mary Grindley Shepard passed away peacefully at the age of 89 on November 16, 2021, surrounded by her loving, ever-grateful sons. Mary was born on March 21, 1932, in Birmingham MI, to Mary Bushnell Grindley and Robert F. Grindley. She attended the Kingswood/Cranbrook School where she was the president of the student council, a star field hockey player, and sang in the lead role of their school plays her junior and senior years. She then matriculated to Skidmore College where “Grin” was known by her classmates for her warm friendship and engaging personality and was elected president of her freshman class. She graduated with a nursing degree in 1954 and began her career as a visiting nurse in Boston. On a momentous vacation tour to Scotland in the summer of 1956, her life changed forever when Jack Shepard, a teacher at the Eaglebrook School in Deerfield MA, hitched a ride on her tour bus and asked to sit next to her. It was love at first sight for him, and they married on June 22, 1957. Their first son, Jake, came 11 months later in 1958, followed by sons, Rob, in 1960, Fred, in 1963, and their daughter, Louise, in 1969. In 1962, Mary and Jack moved from Eaglebrook to Tuxedo Park, NY, where Jack began his 18 year tenure as Headmaster of the Tuxedo Park School. Shortly before Louise was born, Mary changed her profession to teaching music, bringing forth her talent and lifelong love of music. While raising three rambunctious boys and a baby girl, she obtained a masters degree in teaching from the Teachers College at Columbia University in 1974. After 18 idyllic years in Tuxedo, they moved on to Tampa FL for 11 years to Jack’s second headship while Mary switched back to her nursing role in helping the less fortunate in Tampa. Mary and Jack retired to New London, NH in 1993, where they were greeted with the news that the first of four grandchildren would arrive in 1994. Mary spent the next 26 wonderful years in New London, filled with joyous family celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries, holidays, and enriched by new friendships and the beauty of New London. In her retirement, Mary maintained her giving nature by volunteering at Kearsarge Regional Ecumenical Ministry, New London’s Council on Aging Chapin Center, and the thrift shop at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church where she sang in the choir and was an active communicant. The greatest challenges in an otherwise blessed life were the tragic, untimely death of her daughter Louise in 1987, the passing of her beloved husband in 2013, and the last 2 years of her life when dementia set in. Mary will always be cherished for her selfless kindness and generous, loving spirit that made her the Best Mom any child could ever hope for. Mary is predeceased by her sister Jean Grindley Akerson, brother Robert Grindley, daughter Louise and adoring husband, Jack. She is survived by her sons, Jake and his wife Joan, of Niskayuna NY, Rob and his wife Eileen of Milton MA, Fred and his wife Sue of South Hamilton MA and her grandchildren, Michael, Nate, Hannah and Christopher.
A funeral is set for 2:30 on Saturday December 11 at St Andrews Episcopal Church in New London NH with a reception to follow at Lake Sunapee Country Club. Reverend Jay MacLeod will officiate. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Mary’s life. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to KREM Kearsarge Regional Ecumenical Ministries.
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