Mary Jo Shepherd

1934 - 2025

Mary Jo (Dodd) Shepherd, 91, of Westernville and Westmoreland, passed away peacefully at the Eastern Star Home in Oriskany on August 7, 2025.

Mary Jo "Skip" was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on May 14, 1934, daughter of John and Ruth (McCulley) Dodd. She was raised in Connecticut with siblings, Sam and Bobbie Lo.

She joined the United States Air immediately following her high school graduation. She was extremely proud of her military service. During her service, she met Harold Shepherd who was also in the Air Force. They wed in 1957 in Maryland. Together with their growing family they traveled worldwide, living for quite some time in The Netherlands and Morrocco, as well as many states from coast to coast. Upon Harold's retirement from the service, they remained in New York where she worked for over twenty years at the New York State Psychiatric Center in Marcy, then Utica.

Mary Jo was an avid reader, excelled at crossword puzzles, loved to crochet and knit. Most family members have had an Afghan or two made for them at some point, most still have them! In her last years she spent her time making lap robes, slippers and socks for Veterans. Skip was also a proud legionnaire and member American Legion Post 1846 in Westernville.

Mary Jo (Oma) will be missed by her survivors: her son, Thomas (Vera) Shepherd; her daughters, Becky (Wayne) Shepherd, and Vicki (Bob) Squire; her grandchildren, Michael Shepherd, Tracy Dilapi, Kristen, Michael, and Patrick Squire, and Keith Williams; seven great grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents and siblings; her husband, Harold; her eldest son, Michael and her beloved grandson, Thomas.

Special thanks to staff at Eastern Star for their kindness and care toward Mary, especially Nicole, Alexandria, Jessica, Brianna and more! She loved your attention and having her hair done.

A graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 10 AM, at the Westernville Cemetery.

Those so wishing to make a memorial donation may consider Feed the Vets in Utica or the Rome Humane Society.

Funeral arrangements are entrusted to the Barry Funeral Home, 807 W. Chestnut Street.

Please offer online condolences at: www.BarryFuneralHome.com.