She was born on December 1, 1926, in Port Huron, Michigan to Rhea and Edward Butler. Betty grew up in Detroit where she attended St. Catherine’s School and earned a Bachelor of Science degree at Marygrove College, making lifetime friendships at both. She went on to earn her Masters Degree from the University of Michigan. Betty began her teaching career at Lake Shore High School. Here she met the love of her life M.G. “Shep” Sheppard. Betty and Shep were married in July 1956. Together they had 7 children. After Shep’s death in 1970, Betty dedicated herself to raising her children and was a remarkable mother. She instilled the value of education and proudly saw all her kids graduate from college, embark on meaningful careers and start expanding her clan with beloved daughters-in-law and grandchildren.
She is survived by all of her children: William(Polly), John, Daniel (Hyunhee), Michael (Jana), Steven (Lori), Beth and Kate Sheppard. Nephews and nieces: Jim (Catherine), Gina, Mary, Susan (Andrew) Cassidy, Michael (Susan), Brian (Carolyn) Butler, Richard, Deborah Krolikiewicz, Kimberley Sheehan,
David (Don) Link and Janet Miles.
She leaves behind her beloved grandchildren: Joe, Victoria, Caroline (John), Maggie, Violet, Chae Woo, Molly, Ellie, Sophie and Michael. Her grandnieces and nephews: Brendan ( Katie), Meghan, Caitlin (Joe), Rory (Sasha), Dillon (Rachel), Brigh, Kearney, Caroline Grace, Graham, Garrett, Brian Patrick, Steven, Margaret and Megan. Great -great nephews and niece: Ben, Liam and Keira.
Along with her children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, Betty is survived by her sister, Rhea Krolikiewicz.
Betty’s home and heart were always open and welcoming. She saw herself as an extra mom to her chosen children Terrie (Mark) Houston, Marie Foe, Michael (Michelle) Ard, Lakshmi Policherla and Ranjini Satyadev and “extra grandma” to Collin, Ryan, Sean, Connor and Erin. Nothing gave her more pleasure than having her extended family together and enjoying each other for life events and vacations.
She had a love for education, teaching initially at Lake Shore H.S. where she taught science and later became principal. After taking time off to raise her children, she returned to teaching at Clintondale Community Schools. The remarkable number of students that have kept in touch over the years is a testament to the impact she had on them as their teacher, mentor and friend. Even after she retired she continued to share her love of learning with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews with her legendary history trips around the country.
Betty had a great love of travel. It started early on with family trips in her youth and European tours with her classmates. She traveled around the country to babysit and attend baptisms, grandparents days, graduations, weddings and every other milestone with her sister-in-law/best friend Regina Butler. She had wonderful adventures and winter escapes with dear friend Kitty Hramiec. She went on world travels with her children, nieces, Mary and Gina, and friends over the years. There was never a historic plaque that she did not stop to read. She never stopped learning.
Betty loved her friends and made and kept them for life, from kindergarten to her newest group with the Red Hats. She enjoyed and appreciated her dear friends Schrotz, Lou, Gladys, Elaine, Barbara, Jean and Dottie. She was blessed with wonderful neighbors June, Doyle, Christy, Delores and Dale.
Her strong faith will no doubt reunite her with her beloved Shep, brother Jim, sister-in-law Reg, her parents and many dear friends that have gone before her.
Betty spent her lasts days enjoying the view of Lake Huron at the family cottage and visits with family and friends. She credited her “Shep” with inspiring her children to make good on his promise to get her back to the lake. She had wonderful care from Beth, Kate, John, family friend for life Mary Martin and our “always there to help” neighbors Chuck and Lynn.
She had a sharp wit and was comfortable sharing advice until the end. “Love each other” and “stick together” was her last advice- and her children recommend this to all.
Betty cared deeply for her family and friends and would not want to put anyone’s health at risk, so a private burial took place at Resurrection Cemetery. A memorial service and celebration of a life well lived will take place later this summer.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to:
The Eggleston Scholarship Foundation (The Sheppard Award) , Lake Shore HS, C/O Gloria Ehrler 7770 Phillips Drive, Algonac, MI 48001
Clintondale Educational Foundation, 35100 Little Mack, Clinton Township, MI 48035
Detroit Cristo Rey H.S., Memo line: Sr. Mary Fran Gilleran, IHM Scholarship, 5679 W. Vernor Highway, Detroit, MI 48209 or www.detroitcristorey.org
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