Helen Carol Wagoner Shepard

Helen Carol Shepard passed away in Salem, August 10, 2016, the daughter of Dr. Thomas J. and Ethel Waggoner. She was born March 8, 1921, in Dumont, Iowa, and grew up in the rural communities of Greene and Waverly, Ia. After finishing high school in Waverly in 1938, she enrolled at the U. Of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, graduating with a B. A. Degree in 1942 with majors in theatre and English. She taught in high schools in Arlington, Knoxville, and Mason City, Iowa. A dramatist by nature she was often in stage productions where she lived. At the early age of seven, she was a small artist at monologue readings for many community events. She took parts in some of the early traveling tent shows that toured the Midwest during the “Great Depression”. Her father had encouraged these gifts of talent.

She enrolled at the U. Of Colorado, Boulder, working on a masters degree in “oral interpretation” and was active in the University Theatre. When her parents moved to Oregon, she joined them, and was married in Roseburg, lived in Coos Bay and Baker, now Baker City, but moved to Salem in 1958 when her mother was undergoing cancer treatment.

She was an active participant in the arts in the communities where she lived and was a life-time member of the American Association of University Women, Pentacle Theatre, and the Order of Eastern Star; an active member of the Salem Community Concert Association, served thirty-eight years in the Bush House Auxiliary, portraying “Mrs. Santa Claus” at Christmas open houses, cast also as “Miss Sally Bush” at Salem Art Fair presentations, volunteer at Elsinore Theatre, past president of “Town and Gown” Willamette U., member of “Sojourners Bridge” from 1958 to the present, devoted member of First United Methodist Church, singing in choir 30 years, past president of Church Women United, active volunteer with “Family Building Blocks” taking pride in portraying “Mrs. Santa” at family nights Christmas, also a member of “Family Building Blocks Auxiliary”. Her latest endeavor has been as a “Foster Grandparent” in an elementary school reading program.

Her love of theatre and acting included not only roles from comedy to drama for Pentacle beginning in 1960, but she also acted at Gallery Theatre, Western Oregon U., and Albany Civic Theatre. Her favorite role for which she won a coveted award for “Best Actress” in a drama was that of “Daisy Werthen: in “Driving Miss Daisy” at Albany Civic Theatre in 1992. She loved traveling, reading, making friends.

Her quick wit and enthusiasm for life was infectious, and her love for her family contributed to her personality. Survivors include: son George Shepard, Maggie (Shepard) Braidwood; daughter Shannon (Shepard) Maddox, Todd Maddox; grandchildren Jesse Shepard, Laura (Shepard) Kahler, Douglas Kahler, Kelly Shepard and Brad Maddox; and great granddaughters Gabriella Kahler, Ember Kahler, and Alexa Chiechi.

A memorial service will be held at Pentacle Theatre on October 8, 2016 at 11:30 AM, with a pot luck reception following. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Pentacle Theatre Scholarship Fund in memory of Helen Shepard.

Arrangements under the direction of Howell-Edwards-Doerksen with Rigdon-Ransom Funeral Directors, Salem, Oregon.