Greta Ruth (Cross) Shepard
Greta Ruth (Cross) Shepard 79 of Keene died peacefully on September 13, 2011 surrounded by her loving family in the comfort of her daughters home in Keene.
Greta was born the daughter of Elsie (Mugford) and Joseph Cross III on December 19, 1931 in Keene.
She was educated locally and graduated from Keene High School class of 1948.
Greta took her vows to Robert Shepard on October 10, 1952 at St. James Episcopal Church in Keene. They had been happily married for 58 years before Robert passed in 2010.
While Robert finished college, the young couple lived in Boston, MA. The Shepards eventually returned to the area, raising their children in Walpole, Spofford and Keene.
Greta was a loving mother and exemplary homemaker. She enjoyed cooking, sewing, knitting, braiding rugs and gardening. On Christmas Eve she would gather her friends and extended family for an elaborate buffet at her home. She will always be remembered by her nieces and nephews her for her lavish Christmas Cookie trays and homemade hot chocolate mix. This was her traditional holiday gift to them.
An avid reader Greta highly valued education. While her children were young, she began to attend night school to complete her college degree. Eventually she returned full time and graduated from Keene State College in 1970. Following graduation she became a special education teacher and taught in both Keene and Florida.
Mrs. Shepard also enjoyed giving back to her community and was active as a Brownie and Girl Scout leader in Keene. She was also very active in her church communities in Keene, also in Port Orange and in Ocala, Florida.
After Roberts retirement the couple traveled briefly around the United States. They eventually settled in Port Orange then Ocala, Fl. Never content to be idle, the couple spent summers in NH. While in NH. they worked on her daughter and son in-laws farm and greenhouse business in Swanzey.
In 2007 they returned to New Hampshire permanently to live with their daughter and son in-law.
Mrs. Shepard is survived by her children; Deborah Barrett and her husband William (Bill) of Keene. Her son Timothy Shepard and his wife Jean of Colchester, VT. Her siblings; Wilma Horton of Bad Axe, MI., Mary Jane Chamberlain of Cape Coral, FL. and Joseph Cross of Canaan, NH. Grandchildren; Hannah (Harvey) Clement of Emporia, VA., Ethan Barrett of Atlanta, GA., Jordan and Paige Shepard of Colchester, VT. A great granddaughter, Kailynn M. Barrett of Atlanta, GA. Her sister in-law Polly Sibley of Keene. Numerous nieces, nephews, extended family and friends. She also leaves her life long friend Coke Snyder of Westmoreland, NH. She is pre-deceased by her husband Robert Shepard and her grandson Elijah Barrett who passed in 2007.
There are no calling hours. A memorial service will be held on November 5, 2011 at 11:30 at St. James Episcopal Church, 44 West St. Keene, NH. 03431. In lieu of flowers the family would prefer donations be made in memory of Greta R. Shepard to the Elijah Barrett Memorial fund, C/O the Surry Village Charter School, 443 Rt. 12A, Surry, NH. 03431-8106. All services are under the direction of Cheshire Family Funeral Chapel, 44 Maple Ave. Keene, NH. 03431. www.cheshirefamilyfuneralhome.com.
