Obituary of Beverley Sheppard

A really strong woman accepts the war she went through and is ennobled by her scars.      (Carly Simon)

It is with great sadness that the family of Beverley Sheppard announces her passing on Monday, January 24, 2022. She was surrounded by her loving family as she entered her heavenly home. After many courageous battles with cancer fought with such grace, she is finally at peace. Beverley was the beloved wife of Bob Sheppard and loving mother to Natasha Burnett-Breau (Kevin), Springfield NB, Jonathan Burnett (Olivia), Hampton NB, Don Burnett (Cheryl), Damascus NB, and Lisa Burnett (Mike), Saint John NB. She is predeceased by her parents Anne Rodgers and Ronald Allen. She is survived by her stepmother Vera Allen.

Beverley adored her grandchildren Madison, Lauren, Jonah, Jack, Katie, Kristen, Jessica, and Sarah.

Beverley often expressed how she felt loved and cared for by her siblings: Sharon Goobie (John), Hank Allen (Brenda), Crena Peters (Peter) and Trevor Allen (Stacey).

Regardless of the hardships that Beverley encountered, her faith was strong enabling her to endure and find blessings in all situations. She often said, “God is good, and he is good all the time”. Her faith and her family were the source of her strength and joy. She never missed an opportunity to share that she was, “blessed beyond measures”.

Beverley had a prized pair of army boots. She wore them regularly to her chemo sessions to remind her of the warrior she was.  Armed with her faith, she was the type of Christian that when her feet hit the floor in the morning, the devil would say, “oh no she is up!” She regularly broke into prayer and loved to blow her shofar, a skill she has passed on to her granddaughter Lauren.  These wonderful memories, and the sound of her beautiful laugh, will live on in our hearts forever.                                                                                                        

She was an active front row member of Embertide Church in Hampton.  She could be seen standing up with hands raised high praising her heavenly Father.

She had a soft spot for stray cats; they always seemed to find their way to her doorsteps. Beverley was never without a cat of her own and her beloved Penny remained with her until the end. She spent many summer days sitting in her chair with a book and a cup of tea while looking out at her lovely garden and watching the birds, especially her favourite cardinals. Beverley had a great sense of humor and enjoyed getting a laugh when she talked about her favorite group of gals, ‘the Sussex Tearoom Rug Hookers. She, and members of the group, created beautiful mats and woolen projects. She loved having her fellow hookers over to dye wool in her very own dye kitchen.

Prior to retiring, she worked as a court stenographer and was known as a meticulous hard worker.

Beverley was an adventurous soul who was proud of her 1973 Yamaha motorcycle and loved her rides on Jonathan’s Harley. Many great memories were made when she and Bob travelled to Florida, with Ellen, her sister by heart, and her family.

Beverley was always willing to lend a hand whether it was welcoming a new Syrian family into the community or running a foodbank out of her basement. In the last couple of years she became very interested in the history and heritage of Indigenous Peoples. She was particularly saddened by the discovery of the remains of children discovered at former residential schools across Canada. Her last rug hooking project is a tribute to the approximately 6000 Indigenous children who tragically died while attending these schools. Her rug was completed just days before her passing.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Reid’s funeral home (506-832-5541), 1063 Main Street, Hampton, NB. Visitation will be held on Friday, February 4, 2022 from 2-4 & 6-8PM from Embertide Church, Hampton, NB. A Celebration of Life will take place on Saturday, February 5, at 11:00am from Embertide Church, Hampton, NB. A private graveside service will be held in the spring at Mosher Hill Cemetery, St. Martins, NB.

Donations in memory of Beverley may be made to St. Mary’s (Sitansisk) First Nations Indigenous Peoples “Every Child Matters” program (email – donations@smfn.ca) 150 Cliffe Street, Fredericton, NB E3A 0A1 C/O: Every Child Matters, or the charity of the donor’s choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through ReidsFH.com.