Adelaide Rose Parent Shepard
Fletcher N.C
Adelaide Parent Shepard, 93, of Fletcher, North Carolina died peacefully with grace with family by her side on Friday, July 23, 2021. Born on March 19, 1928, in Burlington, VT, and grew up in Richmond, VT.
She graduated from Richmond High School and attended the University of Vermont where she received a Bachelor of Nursing Degree and became an RN. She met Harley Shepard after he returned from WWII. Harley and Adelaide fell in love and married on August 25, 1950, in Richmond, VT. They raised five sons to be independent productive citizens. After several years in General Medical practice in Bristol, VT with her husband, Harley and Adelaide moved their growing family and settled in Bridgewater, N.J.. Following her interest in nursing,
Adelaide pursued a career in School Nursing. She attended Trenton State College and received a Master’s in School Nursing. She worked about 15 years in 2 school systems as a School Nurse. Many students trusted and confided in her. She encouraged several students who considered dropping out, to finish and graduate. She loved young people and was a mentor to many. Upon her retirement she and Harley moved to Florida during the winter and enjoyed their summers in their home in Brandon, VT. Three Hurricanes later, they sold the Florida home, and relocated to Western North Carolina. Fletcher became their home where they enjoyed many activities. They were both very active supportive members of Fletcher United Methodist Church. Adelaide loved music and enjoyed playing the accordion which she did at many of the family reunions. She loved to sing. She participated in the FUMC choir for many years.
Adelaide is predeceased by her husband Harley Grupe Shepard, her mother Alice Parent, her father Alfred Parent. She is survived by her sister Donna Jean Gile of Bristol VT, her five sons, Michael (wife Marcia) of Hendersonville, N.C., Gary (wife Janet) of Easton, CT, David (wife Stephanie) of Brooklyn, N.Y, Steven (wife Barbara) of Winston Salem, N.C., and Timothy (partner Dustin) of Mills River, N.C. Also included here is a very special man she considered to be her 6th son Joseph Hepworth (wife Carol) of Chester, MA; She is survived by eight grandchildren: Sarah Luick (Robert), Kirk (Anthony), Kyle (Manuel), Christopher (René), Blake (Caryln), Lauren Aponte (Ray), Sydney, Halle; and six great grandchildren Colton and Carson Luick, Zelda and Theodore Shepard, Callahan Shepard and Harper Shepard-Szabo.
The family will gather for calling hours at the Brown McClay Funeral Home in Bristol, Vermont on Monday, August 2nd from 6 to 9 p.m. A graveside service will be held 10 a.m. on Tuesday, August 3rd at Greenwood Cemetery in Bristol, Vermont. A memorial service to honor and celebrate her life will be held at the Fletcher United Methodist Church in Fletcher, N.C. at a later date TBA. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the “FUMC music ministry”. Send Checks to: Fletcher United Methodist Church, 50 Library Road, Fletcher, N.C. 28732. If you choose to donate online, the church’s website is: www.fletcherumc.org The church will have a link for donations up and running in September. To send online condolences to her family or for those who can’t attend the graveside service can watch the video of the service which will be located on the bottom of the obit please visit www.brownmcclayfuneralhomes.com
She was the best Grammie in the world. The best human on earth. I am so heart broken and trying to find ways to honor and celebrate her life while I still navigate the utter grief of no longer having her physical presence with us. Grammie I will love you every day of my life. 💜
Thanks Kyle for posting this I love how it all came out. She will be missed and she will be remembered in our hearts and never forgo. We love you mom now and forever.