Our beautiful mother, Marjorie Lou Grotegut Shepherd, passed away in the morning on Friday, May 1, 2020. She was born to LaMar and Lucile Braithwaite Grotegut on November 23, 1935, in Spanish Fork, Utah.
She attended school in Spanish Fork, graduating from Spanish Fork High School and Seminary in 1954. On September 1, 1954, she married her eternal sweetheart, Jess Shepherd, in the Salt Lake Temple. On their farm, in west Lake Shore, they proudly raised their five children; Deborah (Clarence) Foster, Dallas (Robin) Shepherd, Stanley (Lisa) Shepherd, Johanna (Doug) Robinson, and Allyson (Adam) Slee.
Marjorie loved serving in her many church callings. She was an excellent seamstress and gardener. She loved playing Solitaire, putting puzzles together, and anything BYU. She also spent a lot of time doing crafts, but her favorite pastime was singing. She had parts in musicals in high school and after. In Lake Shore, she sang with The Singing Mothers, The Country Cousins and in the ward choir. She was also a member of The Spanish Fork Chorale for many years.
Marj is survived by her children, their spouses, 19 of her 20 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, all of whom she loved dearly. She is also survived by her younger sister, Diane (Joe) Elsmore; sisters-in-law, Karen Orme (Arnold) Mecham and Virginia Shepherd; and brother/sister-in-law Shirl and Beverly Shepherd. She was preceded in death by her sweetheart, Jess; her parents, LaMar and Lucile Grotegut; her in-laws, Reed and Marie Shepherd; her older sister and brother-in-law, Blanche and Glen Hawkins; brothers-in-law, R. L. Shepherd and Paul Orme; and by her granddaughter, Ashley Robinson Harrison.
Marjorie’s family expresses many thanks to the staff at Avamere at Mountain Ridge Assisted Living Memory Care Unit for their tender and loving end-of-life care of her.
Due to present circumstances, the family will be holding a private graveside service at Spanish Fork Cemetery for Marjorie.
In lieu of flowers, her family suggests contributions to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Humanitarian Fund.
7 Condolences for Marjorie Shepherd
Condolences(7)
Duane Newitt says
May 5, 2020 at 7:23 amMarjorie was a very good friend to me. Sorry for your loss
Allyson Slee says
May 11, 2020 at 4:23 amThank you, Duane!
Patricia C Ryan says
May 7, 2020 at 3:42 amDear Debbie & Siblings, I just watched the video tribute to your mom. What a beautiful life. Our mom Betty Nash Robinson passed four years ago this coming June 30th. It seems like yesterday.I miss her the same as if it were.
What a joyous reunion these sweet cousins are enjoying on the other side of the veil. It was so fun seeing your grandpa Lamar and grandma Lucille in the photos. Such wonderful people. I remember them well. Please accept our love and prayers at this bitter sweet time. Families Are Forever. I will pass the news of her passing onto my siblings and to my moms sister Marion’s family as well, the Lee cousins.
Love to all,
Patti Ryan
Elk Ridge Ut
Lynette Eddington says
May 7, 2020 at 9:22 pmWhat a lovely woman and what a lovely family you are. I am sorry for your loss and wish to tell you that I firmly believe that you will be reunited -literally — in another realm. That knowledge somehow doesn’t remove the sting of pain that comes with the passing of someone so dear, but this belief gives me hope and comfort — as I hope it will for you.. The video I just watched was so sweet to meet. Her hair style was exactly like my own at high school graduation, and one of my favorite outfits (home sewn, of course) was a skirt with a bit of a flair and a top with a peplum that flattered my hips — like the outfit she is wearing in the photo under the tree with the little children. The clothing and hairstyles look as if someone took my family pictures and put your family faces in them and handed you a family album. I knew Marjorie through church associations and community. I taught piano lessons to two of Beverly’s grandsons and connections with other members of your gracious, down-to-earth, all-star, amazingly successful, service-with-smile, popular, admirable, salt-of-the earth family!! I think the world of you; and whether you remember me or not doesn’t matter (although I hope you do) because I need to let you know how wonder I think you are. Each member of your family that I know, is the kind of person everybody wishes they had as friend — because that is just what you are. My hat is off to whoever taught you to be like that. I think Marjorie is going straight to Heaven and the rest of you will meet her there when it is right time. My prayer and wish for you is love, peace, faith and hope as you go through this difficult challenge during this unique time when we can’t even come and give you a hug. Well, here is an air hug from me, anyway and I hope you can feel it as if I were there. I wish I could tell you this message in person so you could see whose voice is speaking, and recognize who is sending this message to you. If you could get a glimpse, you might possibly think, “Oh yes, I remember seeing that lady around Spanish Fork and you, yourself make some connections! In the meantime, I will honor Marjorie and you with a donation to the Humanitarian Fund of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I am so happy you chose this option. It seems a fitting tribute not only to Marjorie, but to a wonderful family tradition of caring about others and serving them as if each fellow being is a Child of God. (You “knock my socks off!”) I know Whose footsteps you follow. God bless you all.
steven Brooks says
May 11, 2020 at 6:18 pmIt was a good long life filled with wonderful family. And I always enjoyed going into Safeway to see her.
Judy Dimick says
May 11, 2020 at 6:26 pmMarge was always a sweet, caring neighbor. We loved her and her family. she will be missed. but the memory is sweet.
Kriss Dow says
May 31, 2020 at 4:40 pmLove to your family from ours the Dow’s, my wife Jill is the RS President and I serve in the Elders. It was wonderful to see your mother each week and have family there Every Sunday to be with her and help her, she was blessed to have such a great family. We’ll miss her so much! Love
Kriss & Jill Dow
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