Our beloved mother (mommy), grandmother, and great-grandmother, Carolyn D. Shepherd, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by her family on June 17, 2018 at the age of 76. Carolyn was born on April 8,1942 in Provo, Utah to James L. Diamond and Ruth Giles Diamond. She grew up in Springville, Utah alongside her brothers, Jim (Florence) and Larry (Mary), and graduated from Springville High School.
She married DeRay Shepherd (but later divorced) and had four wonderful children: Michael D. Shepherd (deceased), Jana L. Buchi (Bryan), Kristina (Krissy) C. Davis (Robert), and Steven M. Shepherd (Terrah). She also had 11 grandchildren, and 4 great-grandchildren. Carolyn took great pride in her education and worked hard to become an RN.
She continued to learn and take classes to better herself and remained a certified RN until her death. Carolyn worked at Utah Valley Regional Medical Center for 35 years, both in the Emergency Room and in behavioral medicine/psychiatric units. Carolyn’s greatest love and joy in life was her kids and “Grandbabies”.
For all of her birthdays, she requested a weekend away alone with her three children for quality time. We loved and will always cherish those weekends. Carolyn also loved the kids she cared for in the psych unit at Utah Valley, and the Sunday school kids at church she taught.
She was so happy to help prepare them for adult life and missions and would spend considerable time preparing lessons for them. She was also a world traveler. One of her highlights was two weeks in Tanzania volunteering for an Orphanage with Make a Difference Now and going on a safari with her oldest daughter, Jana.
She visited several islands in the Caribbean, took several trips to Mexico, and embarked on an incredible cruise to Alaska. For her final trip, she took her kids to Hawaii this last November. It was her life dream.
She never let the fact that she had a hard time walking stop her. She was very strong and brave. We would like to thank Rebekah with ICare Hospice for staying with us until the end, Leilani for staying up with Carolyn all night so that we could get a little rest, Teresa for the kindness and friendship she showed Carolyn, the nurses and staff at Stonehenge of American Fork, and the neighborhood for keeping us nourished during this very difficult time.
We would also like to thank all our extended family for visiting and supporting us. You all showed Carolyn and us so much compassion and love and we will forever be grateful. A viewing will be held on Wednesday, June 20, 2018 between 6 and 8 pm at Wheeler Mortuary, located at 211 East 200 South, Springville, UT.
Funeral Services will be held on Thursday, June 21,2018 at 11:00 am with a viewing one hour prior at the mortuary. Burial will be at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, UT.
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