Obituary of Janice M Shepard

Janice M. (Bigelow) Shepard passed away unexpectedly at the Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston on Thursday evening, January 18, 2018. The beloved wife of 54 years of Frederick Shepard, Janice was 78 years old. Janice was born in Laconia. She was raised and educated in Watertown. Janice was the daughter of the late Esther MacLeod. Janice was a graduate of U Mass with a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics. She worked briefly as a Mathematician at Lincoln Labs. Janice then went on to work as an Office Manager at Brockway Smith in Andover. She retired at the age of 62 with over 20 years of service to the company. Janice loved her job at Brockway and make many lifelong friendships. Janice would be introduced to her future husband Fred by a cousin in 1957. They wed in 1963 and moved to Burlington in 1965 where they would raise their two children. She was a very talented seamstress and loved to sew and quilt. When her daughter Cindy was married Janice made all the bridesmaids dresses. She also made curtains and both her children have them hanging in their home. You were considered one of the lucky ones if you received one of Janice’s homemade quilts with a personalized note attached. Janice even sewed the fabric for the wings of Fred’s 2 person Taylor Aircraft. A special place for Janice was at her family home at Drakes Island in Wells Maine. It was a place that she spent many memorable times with her family and friends. Janice, Fred and their two children would spend much time during their summers at Drake Island making many memories eating lobster and sitting on the beach. After their retirement Janice and Fred would spend the entire summer at Drakes Island and on many occasions would have some of their grandchildren with them. Janice’s grandchildren were her greatest joy. She was an important part of their lives helping to care for them while their parents worked. She was blessed to see the birth of her first great grandchild Logan. She was a member of the “Sweet Adeline’s”. Janice and Fred took a number of trips to Italy with friends and enjoyed visiting the Italian Countryside. Janice will be remembered for her upbeat and outgoing personality who always put family first. Janice was the beloved wife of Frederick. She was the loving mother of Christopher Shepard & his wife Jennifer Welborn of Groveton, NH and Cindy Smith & her husband Steve of Groton. Janice was the proud grandmother of Joseph, Shannon & Patrick Shepard and Kayla & Jared Smith. Janice is also survived by her great grandchild Logan. Funeral Services will be held at the Edward V Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (Exit 34 off Rt. 128/95 Woburn side) on Tuesday January 23rd at 10 a.m. Burial will be private. Visiting hours will be held on Monday, Jan. 22 from 5-8 p.m. Relatives and friends respectfully invited to attend. In lieu of flowers memorials in Janice’s name may be made to the Carl J. and Ruth Shapiro Cardiovascular Center at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, 75 Francis St., Boston, MA 02115.