Virginia G. Shepherd - Of Barnstable, MA, and San Mateo, CA passed away at her home in California, on May 3, 2005. Loving mother of Prudence Pigott, Priscilla Carson, Bruce, Colin, Scott and Kent Shepherd, whom she raised in Hillsborough, CA. A beloved grandmother of 22, Nick, Conor, Justin, Scott, Kyle, Sandy, Rosie, Danielle, Thomas, Christiana, Stephanie, Jack, Grant, Audrey, Will, Mary, Juliette, Victoria, Jake, Deirdre, Catherine and Albert. Beloved mother-in-law to Terry Pigott, Peter Carson, Susan, Jacki, Heidi and Jennifer Shepherd. Virginia was born on March 20, 1932, in Massachusetts to parents Albert and Grace Healy. She received her early Catholic religious instruction at The Cenacle, New York City, and graduated from Hasbrook Heights High School, New Jersey, in 1949, as Class Salutatorian, and from Simmons College, Boston, in 1953. She lived in the Boston area from 1956-1963, in Milton and Reading. She was an extraordinary mother, grandmother, friend and role model: a loving soul who treated all with compassion, respect, acceptance and generosity. She embraced life with grace, humor, dignity and courage, and she possessed great intellect and creativity. Virginia was a caring volunteer/contributor to community service organizations including Parental Support Phone-Line, Poplar Center Auxiliary & Annual Halloween Fund-Raiser, Hillsborough Schools, St. Anthony's Dining Room/Foundation, and a long list of other charitable causes. She lived for several months each year in Barnstable, MA, on Cape Cod, one of her favorite places, where she gathered regularly with family and friends. The priority she placed on family and time spent together created lasting memories and an enduring family legacy.
Visitation on Monday night, May 9, from 7-9:00 PM with a Vigil Service at 7:30 PM, at St. Bartholomew's Catholic Church at 300 Alameda de las Pulgas, San Mateo. Funeral Service Tuesday, May 10 at 10:00 AM at St. Bartholomew's Church with reception to follow.
Interment on Thursday May 12 in Massachusetts, with funeral arrangements in Massachusetts made by George F. Doherty & Sons: 781-235-4100, at 477 Washington St., WELLESLEY. Relatives and friends kindly invited: 10:30 at the Funeral Home, followed by an 11:30 Graveside Service at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline.
Gifts in memory to St. Anthony's Foundation, 121 Golden Gate Av, PO Box 39000, San Francisco, CA 94139