Obituary of Roberta Sheppard

Roberta F. Sheppard, a loving and devoted mother and grandmother, passed away surrounded by her family after a long illness at the Lahey Clinic Medical Center in Burlington on Saturday afternoon, Feb. 9, 2008. She was 66 years old. Roberta was born and raised in Dorchester, the daughter of the late Francis and Margaret Hurstak. She was a graduate of the Fontbonne Academy in Milton and the Boston State College. She worked for the Burlington School Department for 28 years. She taught second and fourth grade for many years and then when her health prohibited her from teaching any longer she worked in the School Department as an administrative assistant. She treasured working with children and had many good friends within the Burlington School System. Roberta had a number of interests. She loved pets and animals and was a faithful supporter of the Humane Society. She was also a supporter of the National Kidney Foundation. She loved the beach, lakes, and boating. She enjoyed working in her garden. But most importantly, she was a caring and loving mother and grandmother. Her late husband passed away when her daughters were only children and she did her best to be the best mother and provider she could be. She had a special bond with her girls and spent as much time as possible with her grandchildren whom she adored. She will be lovingly remembered. Roberta was the beloved wife of the late Robert Sheppard. She was the loving mother of Dianne Sheppard of Billerica, Doreen & her husband Rick Began of Woburn, and Darcy & her husband Robert Silva of Billerica. She was the devoted grandmother of Coleman & Breanna Began and Brooke & Jordan Silva. Funeral from the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128, Woburn side) on Wednesday, Feb. 13 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church, 111 Winn St., Burlington at 10 a.m. Visiting hours Tuesday 4-8 p.m. Interment in Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington. Memorials in Roberta’s name may be made to the Northeast Animal Shelter, P.O. Box 4506, Salem, MA 01970-9849 or www.northeastanimalshelter.org. For directions, obituary, & online guestbook see www.sullivanfuneralhome.net or www.saintmargaretschurch.net