Obituary of Judith J. Shepherd
JUDY SHEPHERD
Passed away October 27th, 2019 at the age of 79, after a long illness. Born in Newark, New York, Judy grew up in Elmira and Horseheads. She graduated from Odessa Central School in 1958 and Elmira College in 1962. In addition to being a devoted Navy wife, Judy worked as a medical laboratory technician in Long Island and Montour Falls, NY. She later worked at Sherman School in Henrietta as a reading resource aide helping children to read. Judy was active in the Rush-Henrietta PTA, serving as President and later being awarded a lifetime membership. Deeply committed to her faith, she was an active member in St. Peter’s Episcopal church where she served on several committees. One of her proudest accomplishments was obtaining a certificate in Education For Ministry in hopes to teach.
Adopted at birth, Judy was reunited with her birth mother in 1992. She was delighted to find she had an additional 6 sisters and 2 brothers, creating strong bonds with all. The family song is “Love Can Build a Bridge” by The Judds. As an avid country music fan, she was thrilled to meet Wynonna Judd and have a lyric sheet for the song autographed. Her adoption story was told in a book by Bruce Burch, Songs that Changed Our Lives.
Predeceased by her son, Rodney; parents, Eugenia and Sydney Jaynes and her birth mother Hazel Slate; sisters, Evelyn Jean Haney, Joyce Fuller, Katherine LaBore, Elizabeth Salisbury, and Patricia Slate; brothers, Robert “BJ” Jaynes and Thomas Tallman. Loved by many, she is survived by her devoted, loving husband of 55 years, Robert; son Craig (Renée); grandchildren Matthew, Cooper, Mason and Jackson; sisters Irene (Jerry); brothers Raymond (Ann) and Donald (Vicky) and many other family members.
Family and friends are invited to gather for a time of visitation on THURSDAY October 31st 2019 from 4 - 7 PM at St. Peter's Episcopal Church (3825 East Henrietta Road). Services will be held on FRIDAY November 1st at 11 AM at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church. Click HERE for a map to Church.
Donations can be made in Judy’s memory to St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Henrietta or the American Heart Association.