Kay Sheppard passed away on August 18, 2023, in Collingwood, Ontario. She was in her 92nd year.
She was predeceased by her husband Judge William Sheppard, of Collingwood, her parents Marjory and Douglas Anderson and by her sisters Elizabeth Broomfield, Gwyneth Smith and Eileen Lipscombe all of England, and Janet Shandley of Nanaimo, British Columbia. Kay was stepmother to Judith Sheppard, of Collingwood, Patricia Sheppard (George Ebright) of South Haven, Michigan, and Penelope Johnston (Brian) of Portland, Oregon; step grandmother to Jessica Polzl (Michael) and Geordie Ebright and step great grandmother to Chloe and Blake Polzl. Kay is also survived by her niece Jayne Batson and nephews Mark Lipscombe, Alan Broomfield, Douglas Smith, Michael Smith and Terrance Smith, all residing in England. Ada Kathleen Anderson was born in London, England, on September 26, 1931. She was the second of 5 girls.
As a child, Kay was evacuated from London by Operation Pied Piper, which was intended to keep children safe during the German bombing. Kay was sent to the country and was placed with strangers. Unfortunately, she ended up in a deplorable situation and was rescued by her Grandmother Anderson. She returned to London to live with her Grandmother and her Aunt Emma. She attended The Haberdashers’ Aske’s School for Girls, in London. Following graduation, she attended Shenstone Training College, then taught primary school before emigrating to Canada in 1953. Kay was just 21, beautiful, vivacious and Intelligent. She settled in Montreal for 10 years where she worked for the Bank of Montreal, then for Rolls Royce of Canada.
Kay became a Canadian citizen in 1958. In 1957, Kay enlisted in the Canadian Army (Reserve) and was a Regular, from 1963 to 1968, retiring from the Reserve as a Major in 1978. In 1969, she changed careers and worked for Bell Canada in Toronto as a manager for 22 years. Following her retirement in 1991, she married her longtime sweetheart, Bill Sheppard, and took up residence in Collingwood. Bill was an avid skier, sailor, rider and pilot. Kay, although inexperienced in all of these sporting pursuits, bravely adapted by learning to ski, ride and to crew for Bill on their sail boat “Waterwitch” and in their small plane.
They spent many good years together until 2018, when Bill passed away. During those years, Kay became an accomplished artist, as a member of the Wildman Studio Painting Group, and was a regular for bridge at the Collingwood Leisure Time Club. After Bill passed away, Kay was a resident in Raglan Village, in Collingwood. In early May, Kay had a catastrophic fall from which she never recovered.
The Family is grateful to her physician Dr. Kathleen McLachlin, her benevolent long time friend Dr. Jim McGillivray and caregivers Joanne McGillivray, McAra Simpson, Judy Gallacher, Amy Caparella and Sandy McAulay, who gave her superb care in her final months. A private Celebration of Life will be held later this year. Donations in remembrance of Kay can be made to the Georgian Triangle Humane Society. Friends may visit Kay's online Book of Memories at www.fawcettfuneralhomes.com