Eleanor Grace Sheppard, 92
Eleanor Grace Sheppard, affectionately known as Ellie, died peacefully in Nashua, New Hampshire, on August 20, 2026, at age 92. She was previously a longtime resident of Salisbury, Maryland.
She was born in Schenectady, New York, on May 29, 1934, the daughter of the late Horace and Anna (Bobel) Shepherd. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
In addition to raising her own children, Ellie spent several decades caring for and educating countless young people as a substitute teacher and childcare provider.
For much of her adult life, she was an active member of Wicomico Presbyterian Church in Salisbury, where she participated in the church choir and circle groups and served on the Board of Deacons. She also shared her love of music and the performing arts with the community through the Salisbury Community Players and Choir.
In her spare time, Ellie found joy being immersed in a good book and working on knitting projects. Her greatest passion in life was caring for children.
Ellie was kind and nurturing, and she will be remembered for her wonderful sense of fun and her adventurous spirit.
She will be missed by her sons James W. “Jim” Sheppard and his wife Kim of Acton, and Jerome R. Sheppard of Fulton, Kentucky. She also leaves behind her grandchildren Justine, Rachel, Jake, Sammy, and Allie; along with five great-grandchildren Lilly, Braxton, Hazel, Chevelle, and Matty. Her family takes comfort knowing she was greeted in heaven by her daughter Louise Ann Ward and her grandson Matthew Ward.
Relatives and friends are invited to attend her funeral service on Saturday, August 29, at 2 p.m. in the Trinitarian Congregational Church, 54 Walden Street, Acton. Services will conclude with a reception in the parish hall, followed by burial at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, Acton.
Contributions in Ellie’s honor may be made to Unicef USA, unicefusa.org.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Dee Funeral Home & Cremation Service of Acton. To share a remembrance or a condolence on Ellie’s tribute page, visit DeeFuneralHome.com.
