Doreen Shephard

Doreen Shephard, of Grand Prairie, Texas died on June 11,2025 at the age of 89. She was born Doreen Loy Friesen on April 16, 1936, in York, Nebraska to Daniel and Marie Friesen. She was a 1954 graduate of York High school. As a devout Christian, Mrs. Shephard had a regimented life of prayer for her family and friends. She was a retired nurse, medical missionary, university professor, surgical nurse, loving wife, and published author. Her pursuit of knowledge included studies at the University of Nebraska (1954-57), the University of Texas (1956-66), and the University of Hawaii, Master Public Health (1975). She was awarded her PhD in Philosophy, by Texas Women’s University in 1987.

Her call to service took her to India from 1966 to 1973 where she served as operating room instructor in Punjab, instructor for graduate nurses in Tilda, community health nurse for the Community Health Project in New Delhi. In 1974 she became and instructor at the University of Hawaii College of Nursing, and a tester at the UH Research Corp. Her expertise and skill took her to Kearney (Nebraska) State College, North Central Texas Home Health Agency (Ft. Worth), West Texas State (Canyon) assistant professor, associate professor of nursing at the University of Guam, assistant professor of nursing at Stephen F. Austin (Nacogdoches), and completed her career in education and instruction in Edinburgh, Tx again as a professor in nursing. In 2017 she was awarded the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.

On August 24, 1985, she married Raymond C. Shephard and remained married (37 years) until his death August 17, 2022. Her book “The Wrong Side of the Mountain” was published by Author House in 2007. This book was twenty years in the making and was inspired by her adventures while working in India.

Mrs. Shephard was a member of Cross Timbers Community Church in Argyle, Texas prior to relocating to Grand Prairie, Texas.

Those preceding in death with her include her parents, her stepfather, Pete Siebert; sister, Beulah Friesen Neufeld (Floyd); brothers, Lester, Lyle, Lloyd and Ory (Lynn) Friesen. She is survived by nieces, Sharron Lucky (Harrell), Jan Farr, DeJuana Crittenden (David), Valorie Anlage (Steve), Becky Anderson, and nephews Gary Neufeld (Vikki) and Danny Friesen, and stepson Scott Shephard along with many great nephews and nieces.

The family would like to thank the staff of Morada Senior Living of Grand Prairie, Heritage at Turner Park Nursing and Rehab of Grand Prairie , and the Heart-to-Heart Hospice team for their loving care.

A visitation for Doreen will be held Wednesday, June 18, 2025 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at First United Methodist Church Grand Prairie, 122 N Center Street, Grand Prairie, TX 75050. A funeral service will take place from 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM at the Church. Committal service will follow at 12:30 PM at Grand Prairie Memorial Gardens, 3001 S. Belt Line Road, Grand Prairie, TX 75052.

Friends and family may share condolences and memories at www.grandprairiefh.com