HARDWICK, PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. – Bev was the daughter of Dave Barcomb, the owner of Barcomb Motors, and Mary Christine (Geanette), a stay-at-home mom. Both she and her husband were natives of Hardwick, and always maintained their home there on Bridgman Hill Road, where they ran a dairy farm.
She was born on Feb 12, 1930, attended school, and graduated from Hardwick Academy in 1948. Bev attended Trinity College in Burlington, and graduated in 1952 with a B.S. in teaching. She took her first job at Craftsbury Academy, where she taught high school math, biology, bookkeeping, typing, and girls’ basketball.
She married Wendell Shepard on December 19, 1953, and after two years of teaching, became a full-time mother and farm wife.
Bev and Shep were productive farmers and raised seven children in their little home, which Shep built. They were active in community life and in their church (PTA, home dem, CDA, also Marriage Encounter and square and round dancing for over 25 years).
In the early 1970s, Bev returned to teaching at Marion High School in Barre; however, she soon decided that she was more valuable at home with her family!
After retiring and building a little home (with a big view) on Bridgman Hill Road in 1992, they enjoyed a winter getaway to spend more time in Florida with her parents and Doris (her sister).
As time went on, they extended their visit to Florida, bought a small condo, and shared a second home with a wonderful new family of friends in Port Charlotte. Together, they enjoyed biking, swimming, shuffleboard, playing cards, and making puzzles.
After 63 years of special togetherness, Wendell died in 2017.
Bev continued to be blessed, and in Jan 2020, all seven children (as well as 90+ others) signed the guest book to celebrate her 90th birthday, and again for her 95th birthday in Feb 2025.
Bev has enjoyed many hobbies, including cooking, sewing, gardening, making handmade snowflakes, and her bounty of apples, which were shared and appreciated by many. She was also remembered for her annual family photos and Christmas letters, which included updates on her extended family. Their travels included Australia, Alaska, Bermuda, Hawaii, Italy and many boat rides on Lake Eligo at their beloved camp. She organized reunions (class and family) and loved to keep in touch with her family and many friends. She truly intended to enjoy each day for whatever was offered.
Beverly died after a brief illness, at age 96, on February 13, at home in her condo in Florida surrounded with her loving family.
She is survived by her seven children and spouses: Wendy Shepard, (Baltimore, Md.); Sherry Berard, (Paul Berard, pre-deceased 1994, Dalton, Ga.); Stephen Shepard, (Gainesville, Fla.); David Shepard, (Johna Shepard, Hardwick); Kathy Sauer, (Greg Sauer, North Fort Myers, Fla.); Nancy Shepard, (Al Cockrell, Gainesville, Fla.) and Debra Scholefield, (Eddie Scholefield, Rosebud, Australia) and Baby Tami Shepard (pre-deceased, 1962). Her seven grandchildren and spouses: Rita (Eric), Michelle (Trevor), Christina, Joshua (Kelton), Jordan, May, and Bradley, and her eleven great-grandchildren: Patten, Piper, Logan, Mason, Isabella, Jonathan, Gabriel, Osborne, Finnegan, Colten, and Delaney.
A celebration and service will be held in Port Charlotte and again in Vermont later in 2026. Her family will appreciate notes at 19505 Quesada Ave., Apt LL108, Port Charlotte, FL 33948. Donations can be made to The Catholic Daughters of America (Hardwick Chapter Court St. Veronica #1273, c/o Debbie Brown Regent, P.O. Box 288, Hardwick, VT 05843) in her name.
Arrangements are in the care of Northern Vermont Funeral Service, 60 Elm Street, Hardwick.
