Stephanie Sheppa

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Stephanie Cabral Sheppa, beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, who left this world on June 14, 2025, at the age of 78. Stephanie was born on October 3, 1946, in New London, Connecticut, to Neale and Thais (Flanagan) Cabral.

Raised in Quaker Hill, Connecticut, Stephanie's adventurous spirit took her across various regions, including Merritt Island, Florida; Arlington, Texas; Yokohama, Japan; El Paso, Texas; and Orlando, Florida. For the last 40 years, she made her home in St Petersburg and Palm Harbor where she embraced her career in insurance and met the love of her life.

Stephanie married her devoted husband, Thomas Sheppa, on June 6, 1985. Their life together was filled with love and laughter until Thomas's passing in 2017. Stephanie cherished the memories they created and often spoke fondly of the years they spent together.

A proud graduate of the University of Connecticut, Stephanie was not only accomplished academically but also professionally. She had a notable career as an insurance coordinator for Colonial Life, previously serving as an insurance consultant and in various roles as a recreation manager for the U.S. Army. Her unwavering dedication to her work and her colleagues left a lasting impact on those who were fortunate to know her.

Stephanie was an avid quilter, and her creative spirit shone brightly through her many handmade gifts, which she lovingly crafted for family and friends. She was a long-time member of the Procrastinators Quilting Guild, where she found joy and camaraderie among fellow quilting enthusiasts. Additionally, her leadership qualities were evident in her role as a past president and long-time board member of the Countryside Imperial Ridge Homeowners Association.

Her interests extended beyond quilting; she enjoyed sewing, jewelry-making, and spending cherished moments with her beloved dogs. She had a special affection for her time spent living in Japan, a period she often reminisced about with great fondness.

Stephanie is survived by her son, Michael Grakowsky, and his wife, Sarah, of Columbus, Ohio; her grandson, Jonathan Sheppa, and his fiancé, Nicole Anderson, of Pinellas Park, Florida; her granddaughters, Elise and Marlena Grakowsky, of Pittsford, New York; her siblings, Margarita Cabral Maly and her husband, Hank, of Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida; Christina Cabral Brown and her husband, Dave, of Aiken, South Carolina; Laurence Cabral and his wife, Kathy, of Southport, North Carolina; and John Cabral and his wife, Maureen, of Quaker Hill, Connecticut.

Stephanie's journey concluded after a brief illness, but her spirit and legacy will forever remain in the hearts of those she touched. A Celebration of Life will be held on July 12, 2025, from 3:00 PM until 5:00 PM at Veterans Funeral Care (830 N. Belcher Rd. Clearwater, FL 33765), where family and friends will gather to celebrate her remarkable life.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to the Humane Society of Pinellas County at 3040 FL 590 Clearwater, FL 33759, in honor of Stephanie's enduring love for animals.

As we bid farewell to Stephanie Cabral Sheppa, we remember her as a creative soul and a friend to many. Her stories and crafts will be missed, but her memory will live on through the lives she touched and the love she shared.