Joyce M. Shephard

Joyce M. Shephard New Hartford/Chadwicks Joyce M. Shephard, 98, of New Hartford and Chadwicks, passed away on Tuesday, March 24, 2026 at the Lutheran Home for CNY. She was born on May 5, 1927 in Clayville, a daughter of the late George and Ruth (Smith) Richards and graduated from Chadwicks High School. On August 9, 1947, Joyce was united in marriage to Martin Shephard and shared a blessed union of 55 years, until his passing on November 30, 2002. After early employment at the Chadwicks Silk Mill, and years of dutifully caring for her three children, she was able to secure a secretarial position with New Hartford Central School Business Office. She would stay with them for 24 years. Joyce was a past member of the Willowvale Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary and a very active member of the Sauquoit Methodist Church as well as the United Methodist Women group. She also volunteered many hours at the Presbyterian Home in New Hartford. Joyce was a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. If she wasn't munching on ice chips, she would indulge her other passion: popcorn. Alongside her husband they joined the Clinton Square Dance Group and participated in various square dance excursions throughout the state. Joyce also had a passion for the outdoors and relished the times she spent camping with family in Forestport and the Adirondacks. Surviving are her son, Donald Shephard, daughter Carol (William) Bennett; and son, Randy (Donna) Shephard; grandchildren, Collin (Jim) Seyler, Brynley (Brad) Wilcox, Abriel (Scott) Lantz, Jennifer Bennett, Michael Shephard, Bryan (Christina) Shephard and Amie Wood; great grandchildren, Fiona, Olyvia, Aiden, Landon, Hannah, Clara, Shawn, Evan, Andrew and Lucie; sister, Esther (William) McCarthy; brother-in-law, James Kelly and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her daughter-in-law, Janice Brunette; sisters, Marion (Harry) Jones, Norma Clark, Evelyn (Melville) Edwards, Doris (Ronald) Thomas and Shirley Kelly and brother, George Richards. Joyce's family wishes to extend their gratitude to the nurses and staff at the Presbyterian Home and the Lutheran Home for all their care and compassion. There will be no public visitation. Graveside services will be at the convenience of the family in Sauquoit Valley Cemetery. Arrangements are with Smith Funeral Home, 3022 Oneida St., Sauquoit. Remembrances in Joyce's name may be made to Sauquoit Valley Cemetery Association or the Willowvale Fire Department. Online tributes at www.smith-funeralhome.com