Jean P. Shepard

1946 - 2024

Jean Phillips Shepard was born April 5th, 1946, in Englewood, New Jersey to Warren and Lucile (James) Shepard. She was the oldest child of five. She is survived by three sisters: Susan Phipps of Boone, NC, Nancy Wright of Macungie, PA and Carol Sykes of Pleasant Grove, UT.

Jean completed her bachelor's degree from UNC Chapel Hill and later a Master's in Early Childhood Education from University of Hawaii, Manoa. Her thirty-four year teaching career ranged from Head Start through second grade. She concluded her career as a math resource educator.

Travel and education were high priorities all her life. Jean visited all fifty states and several European countries. A highlight of these experiences was a backpacking hike across the Alps from Zurich, Switzerland to Lugano, Italy when she was 21.

After graduating from UNC, Jean continued her adventures by moving to Hawaii to teach in an underserved school district. In 1969 she married fellow teacher Pete Baker. The two of them taught at the same schools for twenty-five years. After their marriage ended, Jean moved to Virginia in 1993, where she continued her teaching career for another nine years.

In Charlottesville Jean joined the Unitarian Universalist Congregation and was involved in the choir, the anti-racism initiative, and was a member of the Board for four years. In 1996 she met and later married Robert (Bob) Gross. After suffering a serious stroke in 2013, Jean retained her indomitable spirit and good cheer. Bob died in 2021, after which she moved to Rosewood Village Assisted Living. She cherished her loyal friends and caregivers until her passing on February 2, 2024.

There will be a Remembrance Gathering at the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville on Saturday, May 18 at 1 p.m.