Gladys Lavinia Flosse "DeGolia" Shepherd

Gladys Lavinia Flosse (DeGolia) Shepherd

Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Teacher, Artist, Piano Player, Singer, Bird Watcher, Fitness Enthusiast

Gladys Shepherd (DeGolia) was born on September 11, 1927. She spent her early years at a house near the corner of Ada and Forest Hills Road in Grand Rapids, and then East Grand Rapids, where her father, Hilon, had plumbing business. One of Hilon's buildings would later become Jersey Junction Ice Cream. Gladys moved to Kalamazoo with her mother, Gladys, and attended high school with her two, life-long best friends, Bernice and Evelyn. She began her studies at the University of Michigan, but found it too large and later transferred to Kalamazoo College. She graduated in 1949 with a bachelor degree in Biology and French. During the summers, she worked as a waitress at the historic Saugatuck Hotel, a period she often recalled as one of the happiest times of her life.

Gladys married and had three sons: Jeff, David, and Chip. Her greatest joy was her boys, but she also found deep fulfillment in teaching 5th grade, first at Breton School in Grand Rapids and then for 20 years at Grant School. Many of her former students stayed in touch with her over the years, a testament to the impact she had on their lives.

One of her passions, perhaps the greatest, was watercolor painting. Her paintings adorn many businesses and homes throughout Michigan. She loved birds and could identify nearly all of them. Her husband, John Shepherd, bought binoculars, telescopes, and long-range camera lenses, which they often used together at their beloved Muskegon River waterfront property.

Another lifelong passion was healthy living. Gladys taught aerobics classes in Newaygo well into her 80s and continued attending classes in her early 90s. Food and nutrition mattered to her; in her kitchen, dishes always had a little less salt and a little less butter.

Faith was also central to her life. She regularly attended St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church in Newaygo, where many of her closest friends were fellow parishioners. She loved to sing in church. At home, we could often find her playing the piano and singing, or just singing at the table while she played cards with friends.

Gladys died peacefully on Sunday, March 8, 2026, at her cherished home, surrounded by loved ones. She leaves behind three sons, six grandchildren (Erin, Eric, Emily, Jeff, Dylan and Paige) and four great-grandchildren, all of whom carry forward her love of learning, creativity, and healthy living.