Dorothy O'Brien Shepard

Dorothy Katherine O’Brien Shepard, passed away Friday, June 26, 2020 in her home in Bridgeport. She had just celebrated her 94thbirthday. She retired from St. Vincent’s Medical Center, Bridgeport where she was employed for many years as a Registered Nurse, a vocation befitting her caring and compassionate nature. 

Dorothy’s extraordinary gift was her ability to connect with others. She drew people to her because of her sweet and loving essence. She was welcoming and understanding - never critical or judgmental. Instead she focused on the things she believed were important in life. So she loved her large close-knit, extended family, and her wide circle of nursing friends. She often said that friends were one of the great blessings in her life. 

She was engaged with her children and grandchildren, interested and encouraging them in every aspect of their lives. In turn she was greatly loved and admired by them all. Dorothy set a shining example of the power of positivityand the elimination of complaint and criticism. It was her legacy. 

For example, although she suffered for many years with Rheumatoid arthritis, she never complained, never indulged in self pity.

She had an impressive intellect. Even in her later years, she could remember every detail told to her. She was actively engaged with the world and could discuss movies, politics, sports, books with ease. She was a prodigious reader and crossword fan; she especially enjoyed a good mystery. And she loved spending time with family in the summer on the beach at Cape Cod.

An avid UConn girls’ basketball fan, she watched every game, knew all the players and followed their careers when they graduated. She also rooted for the NY Yankees with a passion. 

She was a devoted wife. Before he passed away, Dorothy cared for her husband, Richard Shepard who suffered with Parkinson’s Disease at home and then when he became too ill to remain at home, visited him daily at the nursing home where he lived for years. 

As she became more disabled by arthritis, her extended family were able to provide care. Daughter Lisa, son Tim and daughter-in-law, Laurie visited daily and helped with the tasks that became increasingly difficult for her. Their devotion was extraordinary to witness. 

Dorothy was the beloved wife of the late Richard F. Shepard and is survived by her four children and their spouses; Susan Shepard and Howard Berger, of Andover, Massachusetts, Stephanie and Ed Kulhawik of Centerville, Massachusetts, Lisa and Michael Barrett of Stratford, and Timothy and Laurie Shepard of Trumbull, 11 grandchildren, Jesse, Meryl and Ned Berger, Jordan and Brett Kulhawik, Ryan,Tyler and Casey Barrett and Dale, Kyle and Dylan Shepard, and three great grandchildren Mason, Cameron, and Molly. Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers please make a contribution to the Arthritis Foundation (www.arthritis.org) To send online condolences please visit www.redgatehennessy.com