Mary E. Shepherd

Mary E. Shepherd gently passed surrounded by loved ones on October 21, 2011. She was born in Fremont, Nebraska on August 23, 1912, to William and Teresa Hannan. As the oldest of four children growing up on a farm she developed a strong independent streak, going on to graduate from Midland College, George Washington University and Seattle U. A turning point in her life was the bombing of Pearl Harbor, which she witnessed on December 7th 1941, while living with her family on the island of Oahu. She joined the U.S. Navy in 1943 and was among the first WAVES officers in the nation to be recruited. There she met her husband, Captain George Shepherd, and was honorably discharged at the rank of lieutenant commander shortly before their only daughter was born in 1952. She moved from London, England to Seattle in 1957 and worked as a teacher and administrator for the Mercer Island School District, retiring at the age of 62. In her golden years she dedicated herself to family, friends, neighbors and the church. Always the life of the party, she was known as a witty beauty, a loving (grand)mother with a pizazz for life, and always knew how to dress for the occasion. Mary is survived by her daughter Sandra Shepherd Barto; son-inlaw Bruce Barto; sister Virginia Rochford; sister-in-law Billie Hannan; grandchildren Jeremy and Alyssa Barto, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends. A service will be held at St. Monica’s Parish on Mercer Island, Tuesday November 8 at 11am.

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