SHEPHERD
September 23rd, 1940 - July 14th, 2023
With heavy hearts the family of Sharon “Dianne” Shepherd (née: Mackay) announce her passing on Friday, July 14th, 2023, after a lengthy battle with Parkinson’s. She was predeceased by her parents, Duncan and Juanita and in-laws, Robert and Myrtle. Dianne will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Andy; daughter, Jamie (Clayton); sons, Robert (Karin) and Scott; and grandchildren: Ben (Julie), Alex, Rebecca, and Calli. Dianne was born and raised in Moose Jaw, SK where she met and married Andy on May 6th, 1961. She graduated as a Lab Technician from the Moose Jaw Providence Hospital in 1961.
Andy and Dianne briefly moved to Calgary, AB where Dianne was a lab tech at the Calgary General Hospital until Jamie was born in 1962. Following that the family moved back to Saskatchewan where Dianne continued to work as a lab tech for many years. Rob was born in 1964.
Dianne had many friends and what people would say about her most often was “She’s the kindest person I’ve ever met”, “She’s the nicest person to know”, “She’s such a sweet lady”. She will certainly be remembered mainly for her profound kindness, willingness to help others, always being there for you in troubled times, supporting many community initiatives, and her years of participation in her church, St. Aidan’s. She was always the supportive mom, spectating and cheering all her children on. Scott was born in 1978 and this kept Dianne busy with teenagers and a new baby!
Dianne volunteered her time to the organizations she was passionate about such as Hunger in Moose Jaw and the Moose Jaw Kinettes, where she was President from 1976-1977. Dianne has always had a big heart for helping others and was especially concerned about displaced newcomers to our country and took the grandmotherly role in helping young refugee families. She also enjoyed working for Evans Florist for several years.
Dianne had several hobbies that she was quite proficient at including water skiing, snow skiing, golfing, sewing, crocheting, knitting, and Bridge. She had a very close circle of Bridge player friends, and several other dear friends, supporting her to the end. She was a great planner of things and loved to arrange family reunions and friendly get-togethers. Family vacations to ski destinations, Disney World, and Hawaii were just a few but the family and friends she cultivated were her biggest treasures in life. She touted everyone’s accomplishments as though they were her own. She was so proud of her family and friends.
Some of her favorite memories were spending summers at the cabin at Buffalo Pound Lake surrounded by loved ones and she always spoke about and cherished those moments.
In Dianne’s later years, Parkinson’s began to take its toll but she fought this disease with grace, courage, and strength unlike anything we have seen before as a family. She was an encouragement and inspiration to us all that hope is eternal.
The family would like to thank everyone for their unwavering support of Dianne over these last few difficult years. Special thanks to Dr. Volker Rininsland and his office, Moose Jaw Home Care Program, The Palliative Care Program, and especially all of Dianne’s phenomenal caregivers but special thanks to her “girls” Sylvia and Beckie. She will be dearly missed by all.
A Celebration of Dianne’s Life will be held on Wednesday, July 19th, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. at St Aidan’s Anglican Church, 1247 1 Ave NE, Moose Jaw, SK. The Reverend Doctor Dean Pinter and Deacon Arleen Champion will co-officiate and interment will take place at Rosedale Cemetery.
Those not able to attend may view the service virtually by going to https://youtube.com/live/NaLnhTDxKeE?feature=share.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Dianne’s name may be made to Parkinson Canada, 2103 Airport Dr #110B, Saskatoon, SK S7L 6W2 or to Hunger in Moose Jaw, 269 Stadacona St W, Moose Jaw, SK S6H 1Z4. Arrangements are entrusted to Moose Jaw Funeral Home, 268 Mulberry Lane. Michelle Ellis, Funeral Director 306-693-4550 www.moosejawfuneralhome.com