Maura Q. Shepherd

Maura Quinlivan Shepherd passed away peacefully, surrounded by her four children, on November 7, 2026. Born to Dr. John and Ann Marie Quinlivan in Buffalo, NY on December 7, 1962, Maura was the third of six children.

Affectionately referred to as her mother’s twin, she was also the light in her father’s eyes. Growing up, Maura (also known as “Buffy” to her family) was everyone’s cheerleader; she was always positive and encouraging, and never jealous of others’ success. Maura’s siblings remember her as a deeply loyal and faithful sister, and a true role model in every sense. She shared everything with her siblings, whether it be her time, her talents, or her last penny. Her sisters and brothers were included in all her adventures and mayhem, whether they liked it or not.

Maura attended Amherst Central High School, where she graduated in the top 1% of her class, helped establish the girls soccer team, played field hockey, and was a cheerleader. She spent countless summers with family and friends at the family beach house on Lake Erie in Canada, a place that remained dear to her throughout her life.

An accomplished scholar, Maura went on to attend Boston College, where she majored in Mathematics with a concentration in Computer Science and graduated magna cum laude in 1984. She joined the Boston College Women’s Soccer team as a walk-on and, known to her teammates as “Moe,” rose to team co-captain in 1983, a season in which the team climbed as high as fifth in the nation and won the program’s first NCAA tournament game. With her aggressive and competitive spirit, she earned her place through determination and an unwillingness to quit in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges, a trait she carried with her throughout her life.

After graduation, Maura worked as a marketing representative at IBM. Her most important and fulfilling job, however, would come later, as a full-time mother to her four children, to whom she gave her all. Her children were her proudest accomplishment and her greatest joy. Consistently known as the loudest parent at the hundreds of sporting events she attended, her ear-piercing two-finger whistle was recognizable by all. She was a force of nature and a fierce protector of her children. She raised them with the Catholic values she grew up with, and remained grounded in her faith throughout her life.

Maura had a magnetic personality and made friends everywhere she went. She was incredibly intelligent and quick-witted, but never took herself too seriously. Many knew her as “the cool mom,” a title that suited her well and one she was happy to flaunt. She loved live music, blue eyeliner, making people laugh, and was proud of her Irish heritage. She was a lifelong Buffalo Sabres and Bills fan. Beneath it all was a brave, strong, and resilient woman who led by example and faced life’s obstacles head on.

The love she had as a mother was beautifully reflected in the way she cherished her grandchildren. She will be remembered for her fun-loving nature and silly sense of humor, which made her a beloved part of her grandchildren’s childhood.

Maura is reunited in heaven with her father, Dr. John Quinlivan, whom she idolized. She is survived by her children Molly (Gregory) Winn, Michael (Morgan Rossi), Lauren (Patrick) Georgia, and James (Ann); her three grandchildren, Hannah, Mack, and Connor Winn; her mother, Ann Marie (late Leo) Bradley; her sisters and brothers Colleen (Daniel) Dengler, Dr. J. Kevin (Dr. Amy) Quinlivan, Timothy Quinlivan, Sheila (James) Weimer, and Susan (Patrick) Geiger; and many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family is deeply grateful to the numerous individuals from Chase Memorial Nursing Home and Optum who provided outstanding care and support in Maura’s final years.

Maura’s brain was lovingly donated to Mount Sinai’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center in support of the impacted families that come after her. A memorial mass will be held at St. Benedict’s Church in Buffalo, NY, on December 5, 2026, at 10:30 AM. A reception will follow, with details forthcoming. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial donations be made to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI).

Maura was a dearly beloved daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend to many. Above all, she was, and will always be, a good mom.