Madeline Shepard

GOSHEN — Madeline (Thomas) Shepard passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 28 surrounded by her family. Her name “Red” came to her when she was young due to her fiery red hair. Later, when she became a grandmother, she gained the name of Mimi and eventually, to most that knew her, Mim.

Mim was born in Newport, New Hampshire to Walter and Lizzie (Davis) Thomas on Dec. 1, 1930. She attended schools in West Claremont and Goshen. On Aug. 6, 1949 she married Wayne Reginald Shepard of Unity, New Hampshire. They had three children, Christy, Reginald, and Ricky.

Throughout the years, Mim worked for local shoe and clothing manufacturers along with many years dedicated to Violette’s supermarkets, Butson’s supermarket, and later Shaw’s supermarket. She worked at Shaw’s right up until October 2017. At each of these jobs she had gained many, many friends, most of whom she considered to be family. She was known by so many due to her humor, friendliness, and willingness to help people.

During a Memorial Day celebration in Goshen she had the honor of placing American flags on veterans’ graves and to throw wreaths from the town bridge. She was proud of being able to be part of this celebration as a way to honor her two brothers that fought in WWII. She was proud to be a descendant of the historical Hannah Dustin. Mim was an avid knitter and made close to 1,000 mittens for her great-grandchildren to give to their classmates as gifts. Throughout the years she made countless blankets and sweaters for family members and friends. Any friends of her children were treated as though they were her own children. She was always willing to provide meals and a warm bed to them.

She was predeceased by her husband Wayne Shepard, her parents Walter and Lizzie (Davis) Thomas; her brothers Marshall and Merton; her sisters Martha and Marjorie; and her twin sister Maxine that passed when they were 4 months old. She is survived by her children, Christy Cusanelli of Newport, Reginald Shepard and his wife Jeanne of Lempster, and Ricky Shepard and his wife Nancy of Goshen; grandsons Chuck Hodgdon and his wife Sherry of Newport, Travis Hodgdon of Lebanon, Wes Shepard and his wife Jessica of Virginia, Wendall Shepard and his wife Daniele of Grantham, and Patrick Shepard of Pennsylvania; granddaughters Sheila Hulton and her husband George of Newport, and Rikki Shepard of Goshen; great-grandchildren Jade Hodgdon, Jasmine Shepard, Cody Hodgdon, Jacob Shepard, Christa Hulton, Darren Hulton, Damon McKenney, Rylie Shepard, Hayden Shepard, Brooke Shepard, Evangeline Shepard, Willow Shepard, and Allianna Shepard; and one great-great-grandson, Sawyer Graffin.

There will be a graveside service on Aug. 11, 2018 at Pine Grove Cemetery at 1 p.m. A reception will immediately follow at the Newport Moose Lodge 18 Golf Club Road, Newport, New Hampshire.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the Goshen Fire Services Association or at your local humane society in the name of Red Shepard.