Pauline Shepard

EAST MONTPELIER - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Pauline (“Polly”) Shepard on Sunday, May 19, 2024, at the age of 86. She passed away peacefully at home with her loving family gathered.

Born on October 25, 1937, in Highgate, VT to Elise and Leonie Begnoche, Polly spent most of her growing up years on the family farm in Richford, VT and was always proud to call herself a “Farm Girl”.

She graduated from Richford High School in 1956 and moved to Montpelier. Polly was married to Gordon Shepard for 33 years until their divorce. She was employed by National Life Insurance and Grand Union in Montpelier, where she made many close friends. She also ran a day care for some time from her home, where she formed lasting bonds with children in her care. Polly raised her two daughters, Gale and Lori, in Montpelier and was an active and loving mother, always supporting her daughters and attending all their activities. The family home in “The Meadow” was always open to Gale and Lori’s friends, and many good memories were made there. Polly loved to have fun, and to be surrounded by friends and family.

Polly spent time living in Florida, where she met her husband, Tom Grenier. They had many adventures and happy memories in their 25+ years together, and eventually returned to Vermont. Polly was a very creative person, and loved sewing, cross-stitching, and gardening. She was a great cook and took joy in sharing her awesome baked goods with everyone.

Family meant everything to Polly. She is survived by her husband Tom Grenier of East Montpelier, VT; daughter Gale Shepard and her wife, Elaine Bedard of Niantic, CT and daughter Lori Shepard and her wife, Karen Safford of Barre, VT; her granddaughter Olivia Bedard of Niantic, CT; and her daughter by choice, Brittany Haskins and her husband, Shane. She is also survived by her beloved sister Carmen Scott and her husband, Dean of Montgomery Center, VT, sister Connie Turner and brother Leon Begnoche.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother Gaston Begnoche.

Polly will be deeply missed but lovingly remembered by her family and friends.

The service to celebrate Polly's life will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. in the Hooker Whitcomb Funeral Home, 7 Academy Street, Barre.   Following the service, interment will take place in the Berlin Corner Cemetery in Berlin.

The family would like to extend their gratitude to Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice for their compassionate care of Polly and the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN  38105, www.stjude.org or to the Central Vermont Home Health and Hospice, 600 Granger Road, Barre, VT  05641, www.cvhhh.org