Rosamond Hay (Smith) Shepard passed away peacefully on September 26, 2023. She was born February 7, 1930 in Bristol VT to Carl and Harriet (Laparl) Smith. She was the youngest of 7, growing up on North St in Bristol Village.
She married Charles Shepard on May 7, 1949 in Bristol. They raised their 5 sons, Edward, George, Thomas, Carl, and John, also on North St in Bristol Village. Along with raising her sons, Rosamond cared for her parents as they aged and after their death was the primary caregiver of her beloved brother Frank who had special needs.
Rosamond was a seamstress, personal care attendant and worked for Porter Hospital in Middlebury for 40 years, working on the main floor and OB as a nurse’s assistant and finishing her career as the hospital’s sterilizer. Rosamond was an amazing cook, she won awards at the county fair for her baked beans and loved to make her beans for the Bristol Fire Department, where her husband and sons George and Edward were members. On holidays her family couldn’t wait for her rolls to come out of the oven. On Halloween she supplied the neighborhood with the best molasses popcorn balls. The memories she made baking with her Grandchildren and Great-Grandchildren will always be cherished.
Rosamond enjoyed knitting and crochet, gardening and hanging the laundry outside, even in the dead of winter. Her Grandchildren were supplied with a new pair of mittens every Christmas, a tradition she continued with the Greats. At Christmas Grandma-Great (as she was lovingly called be some of her Great-Grandchildren) made a cloth bag where inside she put a pair of mittens, an orange, and some quarters. They loved these simple gifts. She said these were gifts she received as a child.
Cancer affected Rosamond’s life in a profound way, she endured through the pain of losing three sons, George (1989), John (2014), Thomas (2015) and her husband Charles (2004) to the horrible disease.
Rosamond is survived by son Edward & Suzanne Shepard of Bristol, their children Daniel (Tonya), Tricia (Jason) Vincent and Matthew. Daughter in law Jane (Thomas) Shepard of Bristol, their children Kristi (Todd) Jennings, Jason (Michelle) and Benjamin (Trish), son Carl & partner Joan Rosebush of Burlington and John’s children Kaleb (Mavis) & Natasha. She also leaves behind her Great Grandchildren; Colin & Elayna Jennings, April, Moe & Sawyer Shepard, Lauren & Taylor Sylvester, Maizy & Remi Shepard, Payton Vincent, Silas & Sadie Shepard, Cole & Haley Shepard, Kylee & Sophee Shepard and Great-Great Grandchildren Everett Jennings and Odin Leggett, along with many special nieces and nephews.
Rosamond was predeceased by sons George, Thomas and John, her husband Charles and her parents Carl and Harriet, brothers Frederick, William, John and Franklin and sisters Florence and Albertine.
The family would like to thank the following for the amazing care and companionship they gave Rosamond the last few years; Jeanette Bedell, Deborah Bessette, Cori Pike, Barbara Prime and Ashley Tatro. Your patience and compassion was truly appreciated. Also, thank you to Helen Porter Healthcare & Rehab Respite Care unit for the hospice care of Rosamond during her end of life.
Visiting hours will be on Friday, October 6th from 5-7pm at Brown-McClay Funeral Home in Bristol. The Funeral will be on Saturday, October 7th at 11am at St Ambrose Catholic Church in Bristol.
In lieu of flowers please make donations in Rosamonds name to Helen Porter Health & Rehab or Project Independence.