Annabelle Tofias Sheppard

ANNABELLE TOFIAS SHEPPARD, 95, of Wayland, Massachusetts, passed away gracefully at her home on July 1, 2022. Annabelle’s love-filled life was active and rewarding through her 95th birthday, a gift for which she, her family and friends were exceedingly grateful. It was a point of gratitude and poignancy that each of her children and grandchildren spent quality, touching time with their “Nanabelle” during her final months, weeks, days and hours.

Annabelle’s loving devotion to others, especially her family and friends, was a defining feature of her life. Alongside Jack Sheppard, Jr., her husband of 55 years, Annabelle was the family rock. Quiet and most happily fulfilled when raising children, tending to grandchildren, and remaining closely attuned to the pursuits of her adult children, Annabelle personified selflessness, generosity and love. Annabelle was the stalwart yet loving overseer, the consummate mother, the versatile cook of favorite dishes of each family member, the wise mentor, the proud parent and the one who made the sometimes chaotic or madcap family wheels go round.

Annabelle and Jack spent many happy years together living in Natick, followed by Dover. At each home they delighted in hosting family and friends around the backyard swimming pool, a popular hangout for Sheppard children and friends. Annabelle and Jack appreciated the balmy climes of Sanibel Island for long stretches of winters. Finally, when it became time to “downsize,” Annabelle recreated at their new home in Wayland the warm, inviting and cozy décor of her previous homes. Annabelle delighted in visiting her children up and down the Eastern seaboard and, at one point, in the United Kingdom, and later in the Pacific Northwest. Similarly, Annabelle reveled in the company of her grandchildren, with whom she enjoyed especially close relationships.

Annabelle embraced with joy and enthusiasm the myriad tasks of the homemaker. To her, cooking was another way of providing delight to her family. Baking her own exalted recipes for desserts and other treats gratified not just her family. It was no secret that Annabelle possessed a sweet tooth of impressive proportions. Being a mom was, in her conception, the most gratifying pursuit. To her children, it was impossible to imagine a more caring, giving and loving mother.

Annabelle was known and admired for her remarkable talents at knitting, needlepoint, bargello and gardening. Her hooked and braided rugs adorned her homes. Annabelle taught herself to knit in high school and developed her knitting skills and style throughout every phase of her life. Knitting was more than a hobby or avocation; it was a passion. And the passion extended to the finished products, which she gave to those dear to her. Her knitting productivity was legendary, manifesting in each of her children’s and grandchildren’s world-class collections of sweaters, scarves, hats, afghans, shawls, socks, Christmas stockings and other tasteful creations by Annabelle. She knitted countless hats, scarves and booties for the babies of family, the babies of friends, the babies of friends of her children, the babies of friends of friends of her children and onwards. She was a veritable one-person hat factory, producing warm winter beanies for Russian orphans.

Highly accomplished at needlepoint, Annabelle was a Charter Member of the American Needlepoint Guild. One of her needlepoints hangs in the United Nations and another at the Massachusetts State House as part of a world map contributed by the American Needlepoint Guild. Needlepoints, custom-designed by Annabelle, bedeck treasured pillows and warm family homes.

Annabelle Tofias was born on May 14, 1927, in Boston, to Esther (Shwartz) and Julius Tofias. She was raised in Brookline and then Newton Centre and attended Newton Public Schools. Annabelle attended what was then called Beaver College (currently Arcadia University) in suburban Philadelphia, and then answered the call to service as a nurse’s aide, treating wounded GI’s in Boston during World War II.

She was predeceased by her husband, Jack N. Sheppard, Jr., who passed away at age 90, in 2015. Previously, Annabelle had been widowed upon the death of her first husband, Leonard H. Stein, who died in 1958.

Annabelle is survived by her four children, Audrey D. Sheppard (Patrick McCarthy) of McLean, Virginia; Burton D. Sheppard (Kathleen J. Magnuson) of Spokane, Washington; Cynthia A. Sheppard of Wayland; and Melinda C. Vallett (Christopher) of Nantucket; her grandchildren, David, Flora and Daniel Sheppard; Julia and Daniel Lavenson; and Natasha Vallett; her brother-in-law, Michael Sheppard; and her devoted partner, David Marson.

The family would like to thank the extraordinary caregivers and Good Shepherd Community Care for their special care of our mother together with family members in her home during the past months.

A family graveside service was observed at Beit Olam East Cemetery in Wayland.

Donations may be made to Good Shepherd Community Care, 160 Wells Avenue, Newton, MA 02459 (https://gscommunitycare.org/Donate), or a charity of your choice.