Sharon Denise Sheppard, a loving daughter, wife, and mother, went home to her Lord and Savior on January 20, 2024. She was born on February 24, 1936, in Sault Ste. Marie, MI to Gordon and Shirley (Eckhart) Riordan. She was their only child for ten years before her brother, Jeff, came along, and a few years later, her sister, Crisann; Sharon did a lot of babysitting in her time!
Sharon went to Sault Area High School and graduated with the Class of 1954. During her years there she played the French horn with the Soo High Band and Orchestra, as well as sang in the choir. Sharon loved music. She had many classmates who were and continued through her lifetime as special friends.
After high school, she went on to marry Robert Brock and moved to Illinois where they started their family. They had six children together, their firstborn son, Gregory, stillborn, and five daughters whom Sharon moved back to Sault Ste. Marie with to raise on her own.
Sharon, now a single mom with five girls, soon became a working mom with the help of her parents and friends. She began her employment at Sault Area High School where she remained until her retirement, 29 years later. During this time, she had many different titles. When she ran into her students after they left high school, she always knew what year they graduated based on what they called her. When she was called, “Mrs. Brock”, she was working with school detention. She chased the kids out of Chet’s pool hall and out of Minneapolis Woods, telling them to get back to class. When students began calling her, “Mrs. Sheppard” she had transitioned to her favorite job, the Athletic Department secretary. She had built a very special bond with all of the coaches. Every week, the coaches would surround her desk waiting for her report on who was, and who was not, eligible to play based on their grades. Sharon always kept a candy dish on her desk which was enjoyed by the coaches and students.
During the early years of her return to the Soo, Sharon joined a bowling league. This is where she reconnected with a classmate who had sat behind her in homeroom for four years. This classmate, now a man, became the love of her life, Lorne Sheppard. Sharon with her five daughters, and Lorne with his son and daughter, started their life together. Sharon and Lorne were married on November 6, 1971. They moved to “the farm”, where Lorne was born and raised, to now raise their family of seven. It was a working farm where many animals, and many children, ran around. The family home is still standing, even after raising seven children with only one bathroom.
Sharon and Lorne enjoyed many activities together. They continued with their bowling league. They were original members of the I-500 pit crew. This led to many long, cold nights at the racetrack that brought them joy. Even though they were busy with their seven children, Sharon and Lorne still found time to volunteer. They always enjoyed that, helping others. They also cherished their date nights, which happened weekly and continued throughout their marriage. In the later years, they never stayed out past 9:00 PM because as Sharon always said, “Nothing good ever happens after 9:00 PM”. Sharon and Lorne celebrated 50 years of marriage right before his passing in 2022.
Sharon was not only fortunate to have Lorne in her life for over 50 years, but she also had her best friend of over 50 years, Dottie Kellerman. Sharon and Dottie became fast friends when Pete (Kellerman) was stationed in the Coast Guard. This friendship was unbreakable with Sharon and Dottie supporting one another with all of life’s highs and lows; from raising children, welcoming grandchildren, and losing loved ones. Sharon treasured Dottie, the constant in her life which remained this way until the day Sharon died.
Sharon had a love of water. She took every opportunity to be near it, or in it, and this always made her so happy. Sharon enjoyed camping and her involvement with 4-H. She looked forward to the week spent camping at the Kinross Fair and enjoyed this for many years.
Sharon was devoted to her Lord and her church throughout her life. She was a member of the First United Presbyterian Church where she joined the choir, singing with them for over 30 years. She sat on various committees within her church and was active with the Christmas Bazaar. Sharon knew she was the lucky one when she was able to join the Circle 3 group. This group of women became wonderful and loving friends of Sharon’s.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Gordon and Shirley Riordan; her husband of 50 years, Lorne Sheppard; her son, Gregory Brock; her grandson, Brian Cleary; her in-laws, Percy and Eleanor Sheppard; her brothers-in-law, Burt Jones and William Johnson; and her sister-in-law, Marge Johnson.
Sharon leaves behind her children, Tammey Brock, Karen Brock (Scott Wallace), Judy McCoy, Brenda (Rick) Corbiere, Paul Sheppard, Lori Bogart, Jennifer Lundstrom (Chris Henry), and her bonus daughter, Lynn (Tom) Christensen; her brother, Jeff (Vicki) Riordan; and sister, Crisann Riordan; her sisters-in-law, Sara Jones and Susan (Bob) Hovie.
With a large family, Sharon was blessed with many grandchildren. She leaves behind Nikki (Matt) Anderson, Amy McCoy, Robin (Eric) Clark, Gordon (Sarah) Corbiere, Justin (Kristen) Corbiere, Aaron Corbiere (Hali McKelvie), Samantha Sheppard, Tyler Sheppard, Tanner Sheppard, Trenton Sheppard, Nathan Cleary, Tj Sabourin, Shawn Sabourin, Chelsea (Nick) Palazzi, Mathew Sharrard, and Douglas Lundstrom. Sharon had 30 great-grandchildren and before she went to be with the Lord, she found out that #31 was on the way. This does not include the many grandchildren that were not related by blood but in Sharon’s heart, they were hers. She strived to have a special relationship with them all.
Sharon’s family was her greatest joy. She was the most loving and giving person. If you knew her, you were blessed.
A No-Mourning-Wear celebration will occur on Sharon’s birthday - Saturday, February 24th at the First United Presbyterian Church in Sault Ste. Marie, visitation will be held for friends beginning at 11:00 AM. The Funeral Service will begin at 12:00 Noon officiated by Rev. Mark Gabbard. The family invites you to join them for a birthday meal that will be served immediately following the service in the lower level of the church.
Memorial contributions can be made to the First United Presbyterian Church.
Family Life Funeral Home assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.csmulder.com.
