Margaret Ann Sheppard-Bromberg

On January 7, 2016, Margaret Sheppard-Bromberg, age 91, passed away peacefully in her sleep at Laurel Place hospice in Surrey, British Columbia. Following several prolonged stays at Surrey Memorial Hospital during the past year and a half, Margaret chose to transfer to hospice care as she discontinued all measures to sustain her. Over the years, she reiterated to family members and friends that she had a long and good life, no regrets, and she was ready to move on.

Born June 28, 1924 in Mount Morris, Illinois to parents Marcel Warnier and Nancy (née Sellers), Margaret Ann Warnier was a child of the Great Depression. One of seven sisters, Margaret frequently acted as spokesperson for her deaf parents and played an adult role at an early age. As was the case with many families at the height of the Depression, the Warnier girls received Christmas gifts from the Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund, a charity that Margaret remembered with continuing support and an article she wrote that was published in the newspaper several years ago.

A proud graduate of Loretto College School, a Roman Catholic secondary school in Toronto, Margaret loved learning and benefitted from an excellent education that the school provided. Having financed her education with employment at her school, as a high achieving student, Margaret would have loved to pursue postsecondary education, but circumstances dictated that she find employment immediately following high school. Her employment encompassed a wide variety of jobs including receptionist for Transamerica Corporation and interpreter for deaf students at George Brown College in Toronto. Margaret served as a volunteer nurse’s aide to returning soldiers during World War II, which is how she came to know her first husband who was seriously wounded by shrapnel in German occupied territory.

As the wife of John Kotva, Margaret gave birth to three sons and also nurtured a foster son. Following the death of her second husband, Walter Sheppard, Margaret relocated to southern California at the age of fifty-two. Homesick at first, she journeyed back and forth to Toronto before meeting the love of her life in Huntington Beach, California, Benjamin Bromberg. Their relationship was truly the meeting of minds and kindred spirits. Sadly, not long after their marriage in 1981, Ben was diagnosed with cancer. Following his death, Margaret immersed herself in activities with many friends and travelled the world – frequently alone – and occasionally with a companion or group. Among her favorite destinations were England, Sweden, Japan, and Australia.

At the age of seventy-seven, Margaret pulled up roots once again by relocating close to family members in Surrey, British Columbia. During her time there, Margaret came to be loved by many neighbours and dear friends. She enjoyed reading on a wide variety of subjects, but she especially loved poetry, which she would recite at length. She counted a large number of family members and friends around the world with whom she maintained a correspondence – never forgetting a special occasion. A vivid storyteller, Margaret began research on a book about her fiancé, who was killed in action during World War II. Imagining what his life might have been like had he lived, Margaret shared accounts of her story in the oral tradition, but sadly did not leave a manuscript behind.

Also a philanthropist, Margaret supported many charities including Boys Town, Canadian Diabetes Association, Heart and Stroke Foundation, Laurel Place, Philharmonic Society of Orange County, Public Broadcasting System, Southern Poverty Law Center, Surrey Memorial Hospital, Toronto Star Santa Claus Fund, and Zuni Christian Reformed Mission.

Although she brought great joy to many people, Margaret also suffered deep disappointments, especially the premature death of her beloved husband, Ben, age sixty-seven, and of her son, Gerry, at the age of fifty-five.

Margaret is survived by her two younger sons, Robert Sheppard (Catherine) of Surrey, British Columbia and Gregory Sheppard (Melanie Wade) of Castro Valley, California; two grandchildren, Ashton Sheppard (Natasha) of Coquitlam, British Columbia and Kirsten Sheppard of Edmonton, Alberta; two great-grandchildren, Keiran Sheppard and Coen Sheppard; sisters Patricia LePage (Roy), Nancy Hall, and Alice Susko; her many nieces and nephews, their spouses, children, and grandchildren; and many wonderful neighbours and dear friends around the world.

Margaret was predeceased by her beloved spouse, Benjamin “Ben” Bromberg; eldest son, John Stephen Gerard “Gerry” Sheppard; and her sisters, Theresa “Tessa” Henderson, Mary McGovern, and Kathleen “Kathy” Sebastiano.

There will be no funeral or memorial service per Margaret’s expressed wishes. Her remains will be cremated and scattered at sea, by family members, off the coast of California. For further information, please contact Bob Sheppard or Greg Sheppard.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Canadian Diabetes Association or the Heart and Stroke Foundation. The family expresses special thanks to Surrey Memorial Hospital and Laurel Place.

Margaret did not subscribe to organized religion, but her life may be summed up in the words of the Dalai Lama, whom she admired:

“My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness.”