Cynthia A. (Faxon) Shepherd, 66, of Whitman, passed away suddenly, after a period of failing health on Friday February 27th in the South Shore Rehab Center in Rockland. She was the daughter of the late Leslie and Lorraine (Piantoni) Faxon.
She was born in Brockton and lived with her parents in Abington until they bought their home in Whitman. Shortly after that, arrived the special gift of her sister Donna. Over the next eight years, there was a steady stream of gifts in the form of brothers; Michael, Jeffrey, Stephen and Philip. A large family living in close quarters, created a strong family bond lead by their loving nurturing and very organized parents.
Cynthia attended Whitman School and graduated from Cardinal Spellman High School, where she was involved in the National Honor Society, drama and other clubs. She attended Bridgewater State College where she received a Bachelor’s degree in elementary education. She taught at the Howard in West Bridgewater. She went on to get her Master’s Degree in Special education at Boston College. She then moved to Philadelphia to teach at the school of blind and deaf.
Cynthia came back to Whitman after getting married to start her family and was blessed with a son Billy. She continued using her education by substitute teaching and working with the developmentally disabled.
She was well known on the craft fair circuit for knitted and crocheted items, handwork received as gifts by family and friends was always cherished and appreciated.
Family, being very important to her. Her favorite pastime would be to get together with immediate and extended family, from wedding to impromptu card parties of which there was many. She loved going to bingo and the occasional trips to different casino’s.
Cynithia made many dear friends at different bingo halls and was an avid red sox fan, she never missed a game on TV. She will be sadly missed by family and friends.
She is survived by her son William F. Shepherd, III, her sister Donna and her husband Richard Ketchen, her brothers, Michael and his wife Diane, Jeffrey, Stephen and Philip and his wife Kathy Faxon, her aunt Carla Meehan ; also cousins nieces, nephews and one great nephew
Her funeral services will be held on Friday March 6th at 8:1 5AM from the Blanchard Funeral Chapel, Plymouth St. (Rte. 58 at the rotary circle) Whitman, followed by a funeral mass at 9:00 AM in the Holy Ghost Church, Whitman. Burial will follow in the St. Patrick Cemetery, Rockland. Visitation will be held on Thursday March 5th from 4:00-8:00 PM.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to the Whitman Food Pantry, 518 Washington St, Whitman, MA 02382.