Longtime School, Church Volunteer Dies

Janice Edith Shepard, 73 of Derry, NH died April 12, 2013 in the Caritas Holy Family Hospital, Methuen, MA following a long battle with Lung Cancer. She was born in Chelsea, Vt on February 4, 1940, a daughter of the late George and Evelyn (Straw) Griffin. Janice was married to Retired Army Sergeant Ray R. Shepard who died in 1992. Janice worked as a home health caretaker in Lynn, MA before moving to Derry with her daughter Rose and grandsons Matthew and Stefon in 2001. While living in Derry, she volunteered in the schools in which her grandsons attended, as well as volunteered on many activities, baking and serving at First Parish Church.

She leaves a son, Ray Shepard, Jr. of Pepperell, MA, five daughters; Ginger Martel and her husband Paul of Manchester, NH, Gloria Singelais and her husband Brian of Webster, MA, Rose Foroughi of Derry, Kathy Shepard of Sarasota, FL, and Sarah Avery of NH. She leaves behind many grandchildren which she called her angels; April, Jessica, Matthew, Brian Jr., Nicole, Stefon, and Brittany, and great-granddaughters, Ashley and Kaitlyne all who were her pride and joy. In addition, she is survived by her siblings, Betty Craig of Vershire, VT, Ruth Sweeney of Newport, VT, and Robert Griffin of NY. She was predeceased by her brother, George Griffin.

Calling hours will be held on Tuesday April 16, 2013 from 4 – 7pm in the Peabody Funeral Homes and Crematorium, 290 Mammoth Rd., Londonderry, NH. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 10:00am in the First Parish Church, Hampstead Rd., E. Derry. Burial will be in the Village Cemetey, Vershire, VT at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to First Parish Church Youth Ministry, P.O. Box 114, E. Derry, NH 03041.