Esther W. Shepardson

ATHOL- Esther W. Shepardson, 98, passed away peacefully on her birthday in Quabbin Valley Health Care on Monday, March 28, 2016. Esther, known to all her friends as Mickey, was born on March 28, 1918 and grew up in Dunbarton, New Hampshire. She was the daughter of Cyrus Wheeler and Bertha Rouse. She graduated from Concord High School in 1936. She went to the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, graduating with a degree in Chemistry in 1940. She and her husband Dan worked as chemists for a manufacturing company in Illinois in the early 1940’s. They returned to Phillipston before moving to Athol. After returning to Athol she worked for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, was a teacher at New Salem Academy and for many years taught Earth Science at Athol High School. She was also a licensed real estate agent. In retirement she ran Shepardson’s Garden with her daughter Nola. She was a member of the Athol Congregation Church, MTA and Order of Eastern Star. She was predeceased by her husband of 67 years, Daniel; two sons: Richard and Donald; a daughter: Nola; and three brothers, Lewis, John and Cyrus Wheeler. She is survived by three sons: John and his partner Carol of Wilton, NH, David and wife Ginny of Roxbury, NH, Robert and wife Peggy of Athol; one daughter: Judith Howland and husband Bill of Athol; two daughter-in-laws: Sharon Shepardson of West Brookfield and Kathy Dodge of New Salem; one son-in-law: John Telepciak of Phillipston. Fifteen grandchildren: Jennifer, Karen, Daniel, Andrew, Brian, Tammy, Courtney, Eric, Stacy, Kevin, Steven, Jacob, Dax, Joanna and Alex; several great grandchildren, great- great grandchildren and nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at a later date. In memory of Esther please plant something beautiful in your garden.