Nellie F. Shepard

Nellie F. Shepard, 91, of Southington, passed away peacefully at Southington Care Center on Monday, March 27, 2023.

Nellie was born on July 24, 1931 in Southington to the late Dunham Oswell Shepard and Mary (Frisbie) Thomson.  She had been a lifelong Southington resident.

Nellie taught chemistry and physics at Southington High School for more than 30 years. She also taught as an adjunct professor at Mattatuck Community College and at St. Joseph’s College. Nellie was a graduate of CCSU, formerly known as the Teacher’s College of New Britain.  She also received her Master’s Degree from Wesleyan University in Middletown. Throughout her life, she devoted herself to educating young people within the Southington School system. She loved her students and would often share loving memories, recalling many students by name and following their successes and milestones throughout their lives.  Most notably, Nellie was recognized, as one of four America’s Outstanding Teachers of the Year in 1966. She loved astronomy and was an advocate for learning, especially for the sciences. Through the Community Foundation of Greater New Britain, Nellie established the Nellie F. Shepard Scholarship Fund which is granted to a Southington High School senior pursuing a major in chemistry.  This scholarship will go on in perpetuity. 

Nellie was a longtime member of the First Congregational Church in Southington. She was a world-wide traveler who visited China, Europe and South America just to name a few.  She loved the culture and the traditions of each country and treasured the uniqueness of people everywhere. Nellie’s love for God also was demonstrated in her support for many missions of First Congregational Church even participating on missionary trips to Mexico and South America.  Nellie was a proud member of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution for decades.  She also loved nature.  Hiking and exploring the natural habitats of animals was something she really enjoyed.  She loved all animals. Most beloved however, were her three Britney Spaniels, Angus, Sirah and Jack.  Nellie was a certified pet therapist, and was a dedicated pet-therapy volunteer for Southington Care Center for more than 10 years.

Nellie is survived by two siblings, Curtis Shepard and Pamela Kavanaugh, many cousins including her special cousins, George Thomson and Ellie Thomson and their families, as well her longtime and dearest friends, Rita Goyen and Victoria Triano. She was predeceased by her cousin, Bill Thomson.

Nellie would like to thank the staff of Southington Care Center for their ongoing care and compassion during her time with them.  They became more like family to her and she treasured their friendship. In lieu of flowers, donations in Nellie’s memory may be made to Friends of Southington Animal Control, Inc., 646 Woodruff St., Southington, CT 06489.

 A graveside service will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 31, 2023 at Quinnipiac Cemetery, Marion Ave., Southington. A Celebration of Life will be held at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 1, 2023 at the First Congregational Church, 31 Main St., Southington. There are no calling hours. Plantsville Funeral Home has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. For online condolences and directions, please visit www.plantsvillefuneralhome.com.