Frances P. Sheppard

Frances Sheppard, retired schoolteacher, age 97 Frances P. Sheppard passed away peacefully in her sleep on July 23rd after a lengthy illness bravely fought. Frances was a resident of Millville, NJ for most of her adult life, but for the past decade had been enjoying her retirement at Stoneybrook Lodge in Corvallis, Oregon. Born in 1926, Frances grew up on the family farm in Newport, NJ. As a teenager, she helped on the farm and trucked the family's produce to market. After graduating from Bridgeton High School, she worked her way through Trenton State Teacher's College where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education. She began her teaching career in Fairton, NJ but shortly thereafter moved to the Millville Public School system where she taught for more than 40 years at the RD Wood, RM Bacon, and Rieck Avenue Schools. Frances was a strong proponent of the value of education and even after retiring she often helped the neighborhood children with their homework. Along with teaching, Frances also touched many lives through her music. She was a talented pianist and played accompaniment for school choruses and a local vocal group The Holly Belles. She was a lifetime member of the First United Methodist Church in Millville where she accompanied the church choir. After she retired from playing in church, the church requested that she come back on Easter Sundays to play Handel's Hallelujah Chorus as no one else could play it as well. On cool summer mornings, she would often open all the windows in the house and serenade the neighborhood with Pinetop's Boogie Woogie or Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Frances participated in a variety of professional and nature conservation organizations. She was a member of the National Education Association, the New Jersey Education Association, the Amacitia circle, the National Wildlife Association, Ducks Unlimited, Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River, The Nature Conservancy, and the Cumberland County Retired Educator's Association (CCREA), where she served as an officer for many years. Frances was the adventurous sort and loved to travel. She explored much of North America along with Mexico, Central and South America, the Caribbean Islands, Bermuda, Iceland, and the British Isles. One time while on a family vacation she selected a post card in a gift shop, then an hour down the road she discovered that she had forgotten to pay for the card. She immediately turned around and drove all the way back to pay the shop the nickel she owed. During the summer months when she wasn't teaching, Frances was busy canning and freezing fruits and vegetables from the garden. She was a talented cook and her recipe for Oysters Rockefeller won a regional cooking competition. She also enjoyed visiting with family, organic gardening, spending time in nature, and observing wildlife. Frances was predeceased by her husband Harold (Pete), to whom she was lovingly married for more than 50 years, and by her son John. She is survived by her daughter Lorraine, grandchildren Rebecca, Alex, Patricia, and John Jr, and step grandson James; great grandchildren Brandon, Courtney, Krista, Alexandra, Mike Jr, Penelope, Kiana, and Gracen; and great great grandchildren Brandon Jr and Ava. At the request of the deceased, there will be no funeral. Also at her request, donations in lieu of flowers may be sent to CCREA, c/o Pamela Garwood, President; 624 Irving Avenue; Bridgeton, NJ 08302. (CCREA provides scholarships to graduating high school seniors pursuing careers in education.) Those who knew Frances are invited to post memories and stories on her memorial page.

Frances P. Sheppard

October 5, 1926 - July 23, 2024