I was unable to attend Rachel's services, and I wanted her daughter, Nancy, to know how much she meant to me.  I did my student teaching at Richwoods High School, and Rachel was my supervising teacher.  That was in the fall of 1962, and we had kept in touch all these years.  She was my role Model, and I admired her very much.  I am 84, and she was 92.  We exchanged Christmas cards every year all these years.  I would see her at the lenten services held by the Peoria Area United Methodist Churches, and I saw her several times while eating breakfast after church at the Pleasant Hill Antique Mall in East Peoria.  I  taught 2 years at Hopedale High School, 4 years at Monmouth Warren High School, and 22 years at Morton High School.  I loved her individually designed Christmas cards.  I loved how she stayed just as busy after she retired as she was while working.  She was a lovely lady, and I will miss her very much.

Posted on behalf of a group of Richwoods faculty and staff who composed it:

"Rachel had a flair or writing poetry, so, in her honor, and with help from many of her former staff at Richwoods, here's one for her.

Ode to Rachel Shepherdson

Rachel came into this world with some qualities that would serve her well:
Dedication, commitment, and a work ethic that helped her excel.

She was smart as a whip, always loving school,
Earning high marks was totally cool.

She was valedictorian of her Elmwood High class of 42
Four years later was in the top 3% as she graduated from ISNU.

She married Ed Shepherdson, her college sweetheart, 
They began their teaching careers at Lanark, each doing their part.

When their daughter, Nancy, came along, they were thrilled as could be
That their family had grown and now numbered three.

By the time Rachel got to Richwoods High School, she was a seasoned educator
Through the ranks of business and PE teacher to counselor, dean, guidance dept. chair, and assistant principal they would post her.

She exuded professionalism and school spirit in all positions held
And for all of us who knew her, she was respected, admired, and unparalleled.

Rachel was an educational leader who was sharp as a tack
In fairness, consistency, organization, and integrity she did not lack.

She worked from pre-dawn until late at night
Setting standards of excellence for all in bringing the school to new heights.

She ran a tight ship and mentored all of us, it is true.
How she did all she did we haven't a clue.

And when the click of her heels warned of her visits
Everyone sprang into action and got right to business.

For no one wanted one of her infamous red ink stop in or see me notes
With Rachel we knew they didn't win any popularity votes.

But for as serious as she took all aspects of her work
She had a fun loving, caring, mischievous, and creative side as a perk.

Her Friday poetry writings became a standing tradition,
Urging her favorite knights on in their respective competitions.

And during some games she could found in the concession stand
Serving the best popcorn popper in the land.  

So when 1986 came and she decided to retire
She expressed pride in her staff and the many students she admired.

She said the future would be bright for each and every one
Because of their determination to succeed and spirit of cooperation.

Rachel had nurtured, supported, and advocated for so many of us all along,
Now what would we do when she was gone?

We'll figure it out, she'd think with a grin
On to retirement, as her next life chapter was about to begin.

Over these last 30 years, since Rachel retired,
For computer classes at ICC and Senior Net she was hired.

She traveled extensively, played bridge & trivia, did needle work, & kept her passion to read
When her Cubbies won the 2016 World Series, she could not have been more pleased.

She stayed involved and engaged, never wanting to stop
Counted money at her church; took her turn at Buehler's gift shop.

In Rachel's 92 years, she lived a life that was full
She was active, energetic, and things were never dull.

When it became obvious that she just couldn't get well,
She quietly left us without saying farewell.

Rachel was a strong woman with profound grit, determination, and a power to sway
And through it all, each and every step, she'd be proud to say, I did it my way.

Good for you, Rachel.  We all love you, we'll miss you, and we are all better because of you."

My thoughts and prayers go out to Mrs. Rachel Shepherdsons family.  I am deeply saddened by the loss of Mrs. Shepherdson.  I attended and graduated from Richwoods High School in 1975.  Mrs. Shepherdson always stressed to me on a consistent basis that "I could be whatever I wanted to be in life".  She was fair, firm, and consistent.  She always wanted students to strive for and be the best that they could be in life.  Although my heart is saddened, I praise God for the impact that Mrs. Shepherdson had on my life.  Her legacy will always hold a special place in my heart. Marjorie Kay Douglas (Williams).

Mrs. Shepherdson, role model, mentor, and unwitting matriarch to a rag tag but lovable bunch of outside-of-the-box thinkers!, navigated RCHS through some very challenging years. As a teacher myself I look back not only on what she did, but the posturing and expressions she presented when she did it. I understand now how difficult-to-her-core it was to bridge the pre-integrated/differentiated academic culture with the developing post.  And I will always remember some of the looks on her face!, a mixture of wonder, shock, surprise..disbelief!, but always the look of a confident visionary who skillfully applied the wisdom of her life experiences and the delft skill of her professional preparation for the  betterment of all of the students, as uncharted as those waters were at the time. The consummate educator Mrs. "Shep" reveled in the learning process and gifted us with her passion...how more lasting a legacy? (With profound gratitude and deep affection...Joe Russell III FCT)

Don't think I signed my entry that included "backbone of Richwoods High School.....  Prayers to the family of a great person.

Rachel was the best at what she did; both as a person and educator.  She helped guide and shape me as a young teacher with values that lasted my career.  She was the backbone of Richwoods High School and created the framework of its success.  She will be missed.

A wise and fair teacher and administrator who is remembered fondly.

She was my favorite teacher at Dunlap High.  I will miss her.

 We remember Rachel as being a bridge companion and dear friend of Ruth Clubb who died in 1995. Ruth really enjoyed her friendship and we were always so grateful for her kindness. Our thoughts and prayers will be with you. Ken & Froncie Clubb

We are surprised & saddened to hear of Rachel's death.
She was a wonderful friend, both in our retirement and at
 Forrest Hill.  Blessings to her family & friends.
                    The Rev David & Carolyn Hurley

Mr. and Mrs. Shepherdson were my teachers at Dunlap High School in the 1940's. They hadn't been out of college long and I was privileged to have them as my teacher.

Arlene Heinz Bute

I'm so sorry to hear of Rachel's passing. I had a lot of good times with her in Mesa on Spring Training trips and also on Cub Booster bus trips. She was a great lady.

OBITUARY

Rachel Ellen Shepherdson

January 20, 1925 – January 25, 2017

Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home

Show your support

Add a Memory

Share Obituary

Get Updates

Services