Sara Ellen Shephard

Sara Ellen Shephard (née Nelson) of Dublin, Ohio, died suddenly at home on April 18, 2026. Born August 1938, in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Earl Wesley Nelson and Agnes Elizabeth Nelson (née Robinson).

Sara was educated at St. Scholastica Academy, Chicago, Illinois and the College of St. Teresa Winona, Minnesota, achieving her Bachelor of Science.

While in college, she trained at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to become a licensed registered nurse.

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Sara made the daring choice to move to Canada shortly after beginning her nursing career. She became a nursing instructor in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada in 1960.

In 1961, on an international flight, she met a handsome stranger, who would become her future husband, C. Anthony Y. Shephard. After a whirlwind courtship, they were married in 1962. Sara and Tony raised four daughters as they traveled the world. Tony’s career in the oil industry took them away from Canada to New York, London, and several other US States. They eventually settled in Dublin, Ohio. In 1987, Sara reinstated her registered nursing license and worked for many years at Riverside Methodist Hospital.

The same adventurous spirit that led her to Canada as a young woman remained bright in her retirement. She and Tony spent their retirement exploring the world. Her days were anchored by family and finding joy and laughter in their company. Sara was “on call” for life, providing medical advice and reassurance to her children and grandchildren. We will all miss her wisdom and humor!

She is survived by her sister Sigrid Pauli (née Nelson); daughters Susan (John) Pepper, Caryn (John) Francis, Gillian Parker, and Carolyn (Michael) Kelley; grandchildren Natasha Mitrev, Lilian (Henry Borkgren) Mitrev, Ethan (Lindie Hess) Francis, Sydney Francis, Harrison Francis, Kristen Francis, Allison Parker, Katherine Kelley, and Joseph Kelley; and many nieces and nephews.

On Saturday, July 11 at 11:30 a.m., we will celebrate Sara’s life at a service at Schoedinger Dublin, located at 5980 Perimeter Drive, Dublin, Ohio. A reception will follow from until 2:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to OhioHealth Hospice House (formerly, Kobacker House) which was instrumental in her husband’s end of life care, St. Joseph’s Indian School which Sara supported for many years, or the Sisters of St. Francis.

OhioHealth Hospice House:

Make A Gift - OhioHealth Foundation

(under the drop-down window for “designation” select “OhioHealth Hospice House”)

St. Joseph’s Indian School

https://www.stjo.org/help-native-americans/memorials/

Or

Sisters of St. Francis

https://www.stellaosf.org/supportus