Margaret Jeanne Shepard

Margaret Jeanne Hendershott Shepard went home to be with the Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, March 7th, 2015. Jeanne was born May 20, 1923 in Macomb, Illinois, daughter of Marguerite Rebecca Hamilton and Robert Lynn Hendershott. They resided in the Hamilton home in Good Hope, Illinois. At age 4, she and her parents moved to Tampa, Florida. There, Jeanne attended Seaborne Academy on Davis Island where she excelled in art. Later, Jeanne attended Wesleyan College for women in Macon, Georgia before transferring to the University of Georgia in Athens where she joined the Kappa Alpha Theta sorority. While there she met Jack Shepard, her husband to be. He was a member of the United States Navy serving as a flight instructor and Lieutenant Commander. They were married in Corpus Christi, Texas and lived on other naval bases from Pensacola, Florida to Lakehurst, New Jersey and had 3 daughters - Janet Lynn, Joyce Hamilton and June Leslie. Jeanne is survived by two daughters, Joyce (Joy) Hamilton Gunter and June Leslie Hampton, two grand-daughters, Danica Shea Hood and Shauna Marissa Gunter, two great-grand children, Alexia Shea Hood and Jettson Sudler Hood. She was a devoted daughter to her parents and worked as their hotel manager of the West Coast Hotel in Clearwater from 1957 until it was sold in 1975. Jeanne was a tireless and successful promoter and fundraiser, like her father, for the non-profit organizations she supported. She was co-founder of the Abilities Organization with the late Ollie Hann, which finds employment for the handicapped here in Clearwater. With that she originated the Abilities Wine Tasting held annually at the Tropicana Field and the Raymond James Stadium. Through her years of volunteer service Jeanne organized many galas of diversified themes and at many venues. Her style and creativity also benefited the other organizations she loved - the Gulf Coast Art Center where she once served as president, her Kappa Alpha Theta sorority, along with her bridge club, who all knew they could count on Jeanne to be there for them. When her father asked her to run for office at the Florida United Numismatist organization that he had co-founded in 1955, she enthusiastically agreed. Serving F.U.N. as member of the board for years and working the two coin shows each year, she received awards for her dedication and unfailing service. She came up with many creative theme ideas and decorations to promote this beloved organization’s events. She was even awarded ‘Pan-Hellenic Woman of the Year’ at one time in her long history of achievements. It was very important for her to volunteer and give to the community. Jeanne loved to travel anywhere, but especially to the Smokey Mountains, always stopping for the waterfalls while even driving with trailer in tow during her younger years. She eventually purchased a mountain cabin in Highlands, N.C. which she decorated and dearly loved. She was always willing to go anywhere and made many trips out west, to Canada and abroad. She had a precious sense of humor and most often a smile on her face for those she encountered. Everyone thought she was adorable in her later years and that her daughters were very lucky to have her for so long. We were all blessed by her company throughout her ninety one years. She will be dearly missed here on earth, as heaven and the angels rejoice with her presence.