Margaret B. “Betsy” Shepherd

Margaret Betty “Betsy” (nee: Pugh) Shepherd, 93, died Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the home of her daughter in Munson Twp. She was born April 27, 1919 in Cleveland, OH. She graduated from Collinwood High School, class of 1937, and received her Private Secretary degree from Wilcox College of Commerce in 1938. She was employed by The Duplicate Forms Company of Mentor eventually becoming Executive Secretary. Mrs. Shepherd enjoyed singing in church choirs beginning at Immanuel Presbyterian Church in Cleveland where she met and later married her husband Dr. Harry S. Shepherd on Sept. 11, 1943. Other choirs included the First Congregational Church of Claridon, First Presbyterian Church of Westfield, NY, the Westfield Community Chorus and the Chautauqua Institution Chorus of New York. She served as choir director at Immanuel and in Claridon. Mrs. Shepherd served as President of The Junior Council of The Federation of Women’s Clubs of Greater Cleveland (’54-’55) and attended the 57th Annual Convention in Columbus. She maintained an enthusiastic membership in Cleveland’s Engelbert Humperdink Fan Club, “The Goils”, and appeared on-stage with him in 1974. After moving to East Claridon in 1965, she assisted her husband with his in-home office as secretary. An avid grower of African Violets, she won many awards at the Great Geauga County Fair and won “Best of Show” for her spice cake. They retired in 1983 and moved to Mayville, NY. Between 1997 and 2000, she self-published four volumes of family history. She was devoted to her family, her faith, and her music. She considered her role as wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to be her highest priority. Betsy is survived by her sons Harry (Nancy) Shepherd of Granville, OH, Dr. Thomas (Paula) Shepherd of Burton and Richard (Ellen) Shepherd of Warren, PA; daughter Betsy Ann (Gerald) Griffin of Munson Twp.; grandchildren Harry “Shaun”(Ana) Shepherd, Heather (David) Juker, Constance (Todd) Christensen, Kirk (Jackie) Shepherd, Christa (Thomas) O’Brien, Simon Shepherd, Dr. Jessica Shepherd, Justin (Theresa) Shepherd, Jennifer Werth, Jameson, Joseph, Jonathon, Joshua, Jacob and Jeremiah Shepherd, Lindsey, Andrew and Cassandra Griffin; great-grandchildren Brockston and Bryson Juker, Walter and James Christensen, Grant and Luke Shepherd, William and Natalie O’Brien, Anna and Sebastian Shepherd, Gabriel Irvine, Adeline, Isaac and Jonah Werth, Jameson, Tristan and Emily Shepherd; a niece and two nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Harry, her parents Willard and Margaret (Smith) Pugh, brother Willard J. Pugh, grandson Jason Griffin and great-granddaughter Adelaide Griffin.