Maxine Harriett Shepard

Passed away on Sunday, October 29, 2023, at Independence Village-Grand Ledge at the age of 96. Maxine was born on July 4, 1927, to Bessie and Emmett Bourdo. She married her high school sweetheart, Lowell Shepard, on June 12, 1948. They had 36 wonderful years together and enjoyed golfing, traveling around the country, playing bridge, and being with friends and family. Lowell died unexpectedly in 1985, and Maxine proved her strength and resilience at that very difficult time. We know Dad would have been so proud of her. Family was everything to Maxine, and she was so fortunate to have many “families” in her life. Maxine’s golf family was a very big part of her life. Maxine and Lowell enjoyed many years golfing together, and Maxine continued playing in an 18-hole league with her friends, Helen Fenech and Ginny Lutz, until they were all in their 90s. Many of Maxine’s neighbors in Jackson were like family and could be counted on to help her with anything, especially the Noble family. She enjoyed working in her yard and talking with everyone as they came by. Eventually Maxine became known as the “mayor” of the neighborhood. She said she received the surprise of her life when many neighbors came to her house and sang happy birthday to her for her 90th birthday. Maxine’s faith and her church family were an important part of her life. She and Lowell were members of First Baptist Church, and she rarely missed a Sunday service during the 46 years she lived in Jackson. At the age of 93, Maxine moved to Independence Village in Grand Ledge and gained another family. She was immediately loved and cared for by everyone there, and she considered it her new home. Maxine’s best friend and Lowell’s sister, Donna Cole, also moved to Independence Village, and for the last two years they enjoyed social activities and played many competitive games of gin rummy. We are so thankful Mom and Aunt Donna had this opportunity to be together these last two years. We would especially like to thank all of the Laurus caregivers and Corsocare Hospice caregivers who gave Mom such wonderful care and treated her like family. Family was truly everything to Maxine, and she was the matriarch of her close and loving family. Her greatest love was being Mom, Grandma and Great-Grandma. Maxine is survived by her son, Robert (Bonnie Fena) Shepard; her son, Thomas Shepard; her daughter Nancy (Al) Adan; her grandchildren Ryan (Christa) Shepard; Stephanie (Donnie Hoag) Shepard; Michelle (Autry) Inman; Andrew (Lindsay) Adan; Nikki Fena; and great-grandchildren Avery, Reese and Graham Shepard; Nash and Dylan Inman; Maddy and Donnie Hoag; Luke Fena. In addition to her parents and her husband, Maxine was predeceased by her granddaughter, Ashley Sue Adan; daughter-in-law, Barbara Shepard; and siblings Raymond Bourdo, Barton Bourdo and Eugene Bourdo. According to her wishes, there will be a private service for immediate family and Maxine will be laid to rest next to her loving husband, Lowell, at Woodland Cemetery.

Those planning an expression of sympathy may consider Corsocare Hospice, 950 Corporate Office Drive #150, Milford, MI 48381 or The Ashley Sue Adan Memorial Scholarship Fund at The Midland Area Community Foundation, 76 Ashman Circle, Midland, MI 48640.