Geraldine (Gerry) McArthur Shepherd

On January 21, 2025, we said goodbye to our sweet angel, mother, grandma, great grandma, great great grandma and friend, Geraldine (Gerry) McArthur Shepherd, she was 96. Gerry was born in Salt Lake City on November 22, 1928, to Emma (Batchelor) and Jesse Obray McArthur. She had 6 brothers and 1 sister. At the age of 9 months she contracted spinal meningitis and lost the majority of her hearing.

She was raised in Magna, Utah. Starting at the age of 6 years old she started attending the School for the Deaf and Blind in Ogden. She would live there 9 months out of the year. She was able to come home for the summer. While at the deaf school she learned many life skills that she used throughout her entire life such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, sewing, making beds with hospital corners and all things domestic! She was very smart and exceeded academically, she was able to skip from the 6th to the 8th grade.

While attending the deaf school she met the love of her life, her husband of 64 years, Lee Alma Shepherd. They were married August 20, 1947 in the Salt Lake Temple. They raised their 4 children, Terry, Bobby, Kent, and Diane in Spanish Fork.

She was a den mother to her boys and a 4-H leader to her daughter. She enjoyed her neighborhood club. She was an exceptional mother, and wife, and kept an immaculate home. Family was her greatest joy! From her parents, to her siblings, to her own kids, grandkids, and her deaf community that became her family. She loved her LDS Deaf Ward family and was known as the mother/grandmother of the congregation. She made many dear friends in that ward who continued to visit her throughout her life.

She worked at several sewing factories from Provo to Spanish Fork and was always one of the most excellent seamstresses and a stellar employee.

The family enjoyed camping, fishing, hunting, and after Lee and Gerry retired they spent many years traveling the world.

She never allowed her hearing impairment to interfere with her accomplishments. She was resilient and loving always! Always greeting people with her infectious smile, cutest dimples, and bright eyes! She was always flashing the “I love you” sign.

She is survived by her children Terry (Lil) Shepherd of Salem, Robert (JaNene) Shepherd of Santaquin, Kent (Kathie) Shepherd of Monroe and Diane (Glenn) Cooper of St. George. she is also survived by her brother Jesse McArthur of Colorado Springs, CO. She was blessed with 12 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, and 11 great great grandchildren and 2 bonus foreign exchange grand kids from Brazil.

She is preceded in death by her husband Lee Alma Shepherd and their son, Lee Jr Shepherd and grandsons Bryan Shepherd and Andrew Shepherd. Her siblings Rex, Blaine, Joyce, Charles, Larry, and Dale.

Her family will miss her smile, her loving sweet spirit, her positivity, and her love for Hallmark movies. She has had many obstacles in her life but always made the best of it. She has earned her eternal rest.

The family would like to thank the staff at Orchard View assisted living for caring for our adorable loving mom.

A visitation will be on Sunday, January 26, 2025 from 6:00 to 8:00 pm at Walker Funeral Home located at 187 South Main Street, Spanish Fork, Utah and again the next morning prior to her funeral, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. at the funeral home. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, January 27, 2025 at Walker Funeral Home located at 187 South Main Street in Spanish Fork, Utah. Interment will be at the Spanish Fork City Cemetery, 420 South 400 East, Spanish Fork, Utah.

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11 Condolences for Geraldine (Gerry) McArthur Shepherd

Condolences(11)

Tom Hodgson says

January 22, 2025 at 11:39 pm

Terry, Robert, Kent, Diane and families,
I am saddened to hear about your loss. I have many fond memories of your mother and your father. Such wonderful, friendly and caring people. I’m sending each of you heartfelt condolences and pray that you may find peace and comfort at this time.

Zack & Tara Shafer says

January 23, 2025 at 4:37 am

Dear Terry, Lil and family. Having had the pleasure of meeting your lovely mother we know firsthand just how special she was. She made us feel so welcome and loved with her radiant smile and kind heart. We love you all ♥️ Love, Zack, Tara, Autumn & Eva

Betty J Jones says

January 23, 2025 at 5:38 am

Dearest Diane and Terry, Robert, Kent and families, my heart breaks for each of you. I’m thankful that Von & I knew you all, through your Parents. Von passed away one year ago, Jan 20, 24; a day before your Mom. Did they plan that? Smiling. “A Year” to those who have passed, could be only a day & a few hrs.
Gerri has always been my Dearest Friend, ever since Von & I were married. Von also went to the School for The Deaf, in Ogden. So, they knew each other well. They all ate together, studied & laughed together❣️
Even though Gerri & Lee were older than us; me being the youngest by 10 years. But that didn’t bother them, because they were so very ‘Young At Heart’. We, bonded through the years by our activities with the Deaf Communities, through our membership’s of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the ASL Branches and Wards for the Deaf, and of course our love for Fishing, camping and hunting.
Gerri, I’ll miss your Hugs and beautiful deep dimples when you smile. Your sweet cheerful voice, I’ll never forget. You reminded me of my own sweet Mother.
Gerri, thanks for accepting me as one of your friends. I love you. Say “Hi”, to Lee, your amazing husband, We miss him too❣️

Barbara Brown Roitz says

January 24, 2025 at 1:40 am

Oh Bob, I am sorry to hear of the loss of your sweet mom. She was always a sweetheart to us so many years ago. Condolences to you and your family.

REPLY
Ron and Jody Bayless says
January 24, 2025 at 1:46 pm

To Terry , Bobby , Diane , Kent and all their family , Ron and I are sending our condolences and prayers 🙏 for comfort and healing . We Love and miss you all so much . I am Gerry’s niece , my dad is het brother . Have so many good memories when growing up going to Spanish Fork to visit. Uncle Lee and Aunt Gerry are so special ❤️ . When Ron and I moved to Vegas, when we drove to Utah to visit our family , we would always stop in Spanish Fork and see Uncle Lee and Aunt Gerry, Ron fell in Love with them . Aunt Gerry you are a beautiful soul and that smile of yours . We Love ❤️ you Always and will deeply miss you 😔 😘 Rest In Peace 🙏

Ron and Jody Bayless says

January 24, 2025 at 1:47 pm

To Terry , Bobby , Diane , Kent and all their family , Ron and I are sending our condolences and prayers 🙏 for comfort and healing . We Love and miss you all so much . I am Gerry’s niece , my dad is het brother . Have so many good memories when growing up going to Spanish Fork to visit. Uncle Lee and Aunt Gerry are so special ❤️ . When Ron and I moved to Vegas, when we drove to Utah to visit our family , we would always stop in Spanish Fork and see Uncle Lee and Aunt Gerry, Ron fell in Love with them . Aunt Gerry you are a beautiful soul and that smile of yours . We Love ❤️ you Always and will deeply miss you 😔 😘 Rest In Peace 🙏

Stephanie Fletcher says

January 27, 2025 at 6:50 pm

Terry, Lil and family, I am sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love and hugs.
Steph

Abilio says

January 27, 2025 at 7:28 pm

Your sweetness marked our lives along with the lives of everyone who knew you and we will never forget you. We love you. Your grandson in Brazil.

Abilio says

January 27, 2025 at 7:29 pm

Your sweetness marked our lives along with the lives of everyone who knew you and we will never forget you. We love you. Your grandson from heart in Brazil. Scaramuzza´s family

Valorie Beardall says

January 27, 2025 at 7:40 pm

Sorry, I couldn’t be to the services today! I am not feeling well, but I watched the services on my computer at home! The services were a fitting tribute to a truly wonderful woman! May God bless your family with the comfort that Lee and Gerry are together and watching over their family!!!

Renae and Wayne Shepherd says

January 28, 2025 at 3:04 am

To you all,
I’m so sorry for your loss. She was such a sweetheart. I’m glad I got to spend a little time with her at the Girls 1970s party at Terry and Lil’s home last summer. I enjoyed going to get my shoes repaired by your very kind dad and mom. Loved them both.

Geraldine (Gerry) McArthur Shepherd November 22, 1928 - January 21, 2025

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11 Condolences for Geraldine (Gerry) McArthur Shepherd