Obituary for Violet Vera Shepherd
It is with a combination of tears and warm memories that we announce that Violet Vera Shepherd (Vi) passed away September 9th at the age of 99 years, once more to be reunited with her beloved husband Bert whom she has so dearly missed. Vi was born August 27th 1921 in Bassano Alberta to parents Florence and Harry Bacon. A teenager during the depression years, she grew up in difficult times along with her brothers Bob and John. She suffered greatly over the loss of Bob in World War 2, a pain she carried in her heart throughout her life. Vi grew into a strong woman who believed in hard work, perseverance, integrity and charity. She married the love of her life Robert (Bert) Shepherd in 1955 and moved to the family farm near Carstairs Alberta. Those early years on the farm were hard years. Money was scarce and work was plentiful. Vi worked side by side with Bert, tending cattle, pigs and chickens, milking cows, planting and harvesting crops, baling hay and growing a large garden to ensure there was always food on the table. In the 1960s three children joined the family, beginning with Robert, followed by Douglas and Lori.
Despite the efforts required to raise a family and make ends meet on a small prairie farm, Vi and Bert contributed to the community, donating what time and money they could spare to various causes. Anyone who knew Vi knows that she was an avid baker. Her bread, buns and pastries anchored many community and church bake sales over the years. She donated her time to programs at the local school and it was a rare Sunday when she could not be found playing the organ at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Didsbury. She spent countless hours knitting slippers and toques which she donated to Ronald McDonald House.
Vi truly loved life on the farm with Bert. While they slowed down in later years they never fully quit farming until Bert passed shortly before his 82nd birthday. As lonely as it was without Bert, Vi insisted on remaining on the farm where she continued to grow a large garden, look after her dogs and cats, play the piano and bake. Bread, buns and cheese straws were always there to greet anyone who stopped by.
Sadly, the onset of dementia took away Vi’s ability to play the piano, to knit, and to live by herself. In 2010 she was admitted into long term care, leaving her farm home for the last time while loaves of bread still cooled on the counter. At the age of 88 she moved to Prince of Peace Harbour on the eastern outskirts of Calgary. Known to most there as Violet, she became a favorite with the staff - for her smile and the many stories she loved to tell. She exceeded everyone’s expectations, beating malignant melanoma in her 90’s and reaching 99 years of age this past August. The relentless progression of dementia eventually took away most of her ability to interact but Violet could still surprise. One of her caregivers told me that one day, not so long ago, Violet looked up from her wheelchair and in the clearest of voices demanded “could someone please clean up this dump”, you tell ‘em Mom!
Vi is survived by her three children Robert (Janice) of Calgary, Douglas (Judy) of Victoria, and Lori (Allen Felker) of Nanaimo, along with one granddaughter Monica (Lori & Allen).
The family would like to extend special thanks to Lester, Rene and David Aarsby, along with Ken Pasco for the support they gave to Vi in the years following Bert’s passing. The family would also like to thank the numerous staff and volunteers who took such good care of Violet at Prince of Peace Harbour over the years; we deeply appreciate each and every one of you.
As COVID is once again on the rise and Vi would wish everyone to be safe, a formal memorial service will not be held. We ask that each of you remember her in your own way, to donate to a cause or simply to do something positive as you may choose in her memory.
Despite the efforts required to raise a family and make ends meet on a small prairie farm, Vi and Bert contributed to the community, donating what time and money they could spare to various causes. Anyone who knew Vi knows that she was an avid baker. Her bread, buns and pastries anchored many community and church bake sales over the years. She donated her time to programs at the local school and it was a rare Sunday when she could not be found playing the organ at St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Didsbury. She spent countless hours knitting slippers and toques which she donated to Ronald McDonald House.
Vi truly loved life on the farm with Bert. While they slowed down in later years they never fully quit farming until Bert passed shortly before his 82nd birthday. As lonely as it was without Bert, Vi insisted on remaining on the farm where she continued to grow a large garden, look after her dogs and cats, play the piano and bake. Bread, buns and cheese straws were always there to greet anyone who stopped by.
Sadly, the onset of dementia took away Vi’s ability to play the piano, to knit, and to live by herself. In 2010 she was admitted into long term care, leaving her farm home for the last time while loaves of bread still cooled on the counter. At the age of 88 she moved to Prince of Peace Harbour on the eastern outskirts of Calgary. Known to most there as Violet, she became a favorite with the staff - for her smile and the many stories she loved to tell. She exceeded everyone’s expectations, beating malignant melanoma in her 90’s and reaching 99 years of age this past August. The relentless progression of dementia eventually took away most of her ability to interact but Violet could still surprise. One of her caregivers told me that one day, not so long ago, Violet looked up from her wheelchair and in the clearest of voices demanded “could someone please clean up this dump”, you tell ‘em Mom!
Vi is survived by her three children Robert (Janice) of Calgary, Douglas (Judy) of Victoria, and Lori (Allen Felker) of Nanaimo, along with one granddaughter Monica (Lori & Allen).
The family would like to extend special thanks to Lester, Rene and David Aarsby, along with Ken Pasco for the support they gave to Vi in the years following Bert’s passing. The family would also like to thank the numerous staff and volunteers who took such good care of Violet at Prince of Peace Harbour over the years; we deeply appreciate each and every one of you.
As COVID is once again on the rise and Vi would wish everyone to be safe, a formal memorial service will not be held. We ask that each of you remember her in your own way, to donate to a cause or simply to do something positive as you may choose in her memory.