Obituary of Fae Frances Sheppard

Fae Frances Sheppard
1938 – 2020

Fae Frances Sheppard, loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on Oct 11, 2020, at the age of 82.  She will be sadly missed by her loving husband of 60 years, Mac Sheppard, daughter Lana and grandchildren Erol, Sera (Keiko), Amy (Steve, baby Westlyn); daughter Gaye and grandchildren Nicole (Richard) and Jessica (Ravi); son David (Tomoko), her brother Ralph (Ethel) Thompson, sister-in-law Irene (Gene) Sheppard, brother-in-law Ivan Brown (Mary), brother-in-law Lowell (Judy) Sheppard, many cherished cousins, nieces, nephews and life-long friends. Fae was predeceased by her parents, Walter and Lydia Thompson, her sisters Nellie (infant), Mary, and Lola (Vaughn), sister-in-law Ethel Thompson, niece Connie Spittal (nee Thompson), and brother-in-laws Laverne Sheppard and Gene Sheppard.
 
Born in Pictou Country, NS, the family later returned to Central Butte, SK. There, Fae played the piano - or organ, as the case may be - for dances, funerals, and church services from an early age, along with almost every brass instrument in the band that her dad was a conductor of.  She carried her love of music with her throughout her life and passed it on to her children and grandchildren.

Growing up, Fae’s mother made her pay 10% of her wages as a charge for room and board as a lesson in learning to manage her finances (returning those payments after her marriage). In 1956, armed with a suitcase, $100 cash, and all the world’s answers, Fae was sent on her merry way to find employment and obtain a secretarial education at Belfour Collegiate in Regina. She met the love of her life, Mac, in 1958, and they were married in July 1960 in Central Butte before settling in Saskatoon.

Fae had a beautiful life with Mac. It was very important to both of them that she remain in the home to raise their children and she did an amazing job; she was a dedicated wife and mother first and foremost.  She spent 35 years in her role as a Grandma and loved her grandkids and every moment with them.

She was able to make friends anywhere she went and under any circumstance. Those that knew her were exposed to her vivacious personality and ability to make those around her chuckle or smile. Her love of music was a gift to many, and she was always willing to use her amazing skills on the piano or organ for the benefit of others. She often volunteered at seniors’ homes and residences and loved to see her listeners’ faces light up as she filled the room with her music.

For her 50thAnniversary with Mac, the renowned Saskatoon Jammers Band presented Fae with a Penny Whistle - the only wind instrument they felt she hadn’t played. They were right, until that day! Beyond music, Fae loved to play cards, particularly Pinnacle (a Thompson family tradition), Canasta (which she nearly always won), and her all-time favourite, “I Hate This Game”.  Many of these games were played during summer holidays at the family cabin at East Trout Lake.

After Mac retired in 1995, they chose Arizona as their winter home.  For almost 20 years, they enjoyed the company of close friends, and, of course, music. A lot of Fae’s time was spent playing at jam sessions.

Fae will be sadly missed by her family, friends and fellow musicians, but we know she’ll be keeping an eye on us from her new home “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to youth music programs or a charity of your choice in Fae’s memory. Condolences may be left for the family at www.saskatoonfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to Saskatoon Funeral Home, where Fae will be placed to rest at the Columbarium at St. John’s Cathedral at a later date.