Carole Elizabeth Shepley
Carole Elizabeth Kent Carter Shepley
Sunrise June 2, 1941 ~ Sunset May 31, 2020
Elizabeth, Liz, Mom, Mother in Law, Grandma, Sister, Sister in law, Aunt, Great Aunt, Best friend,
all our Angel.
~ Our Mother, was truly the most beautiful soul, that overflowed with endless kindness, happiness, joy, absolute divine beauty and love for everyone. She was divine, graceful, beautiful and strong and admired for her sharp wit, her confidence, and her overall kind and caring connected spirit. She had a playful spirit that exuded resilience, determination, compassion and a ferocity filled with love all at the same time. She taught us how to laugh, how to live, how to share affection, and most of all how to give and love with elegance. Her remarkable soul and spirit will forever be imprinted of each one of us, and for that we are eternally grateful for her true beauty. Thank you for being you MOM!!!
~ Elizabeth was born in Chatham, Ontario to Lyla Montgomery and Ross Carter. She grew up in Chatham where she created strong, and life long bonds with many wonderful friends. She married her loving husband of 56 years and the Carter and Shepley families bond became even stronger.
~ Elizabeth attended Teacher's College in London where she was top of her class and became a kind, caring and thoughtful teacher. She was an amazing teacher to sometimes 40 students in grade 1 at once. One year she even taught in a converted swimming pool and yet somehow continued to make it the happiest, unique and memorable experience for all.
~ Liz and Don moved to Toronto, where Liz would continue to teach while Don finished his residency in medicine. Teaching opened many new doors to endless friendships and strong bonds. In Toronto, while pregnant with her first born, Liz and Don met many new friends that would later prove to have endless family and friend traditions for the rest of their years together.
~ In 1975, Liz and Don moved their family to Whitby, ON where they would spend most of their lives creating many unforgettable memories. While Don practiced Medicine in Whitby, Liz became and extremely active Volunteer at the Whitby General Hospital where she would spend her time continually giving to the community through endless hours volunteering and fundraising for the kidney foundation and the hospital. She created many new circles of friends through this community that would carry through her lifetime and are still strong connections to this day. She received the greatest gift a volunteer could receive of a Life Membership for Volunteer Appreciation, from the province of Ontario and the Hospital Auxiliaries Association of Ontario. This was a true honor and testament to her commitment, endless giving and dedication.
~ Fox Lake has been an integral part of Liz and Don’s lives, starting with their honeymoon at the lake. They moved to Huntsville to enjoy Fox lake in their retirement after their tiny cabin was rebuilt as a home, and everyone still refers to it as the ‘cabin’. At the lake they continued to enjoy all kinds of company, and always warmly welcomed all visitors. On their continued journey in Huntsville, they established many new friendships and truly found a home where their hearts were happy in their ‘piece of paradise’.
~ Elizabeth peacefully transcended into the eternal light at the Hospice Huntsville/Algonquin Grace, where she was surrounded lovingly by her children: son Scott and wife Karen, son Marc and daughter Karen. And with all the incredible staff at the Huntsville Hospice, she was loved each precious moment all while she continued to shine and give her love in return to all. Her last words, "I LOVE YOU!", were meant for each and every one of us.
~ Elizabeth was predeceased to her loving husband Dr. Donald Shepley, whom passed peacefully in their home on the lake in April, 2018. Elizabeth was an incredible, kind-hearted, and forever giving Mother to Scott, Marc and Karen, Loving Mother in Law to Karen, Kathryn, and Matt. A Grandma overflowing with endless love for her grandchildren Grant, Michael, and Kristen, Daniel and Sarah, Kai and Carter. A dear sister to John Ross Carter. An amazing sister in law to Bonnie, Joan, Bill, Marion and Robert. An Aunt and Great Aunt to all her wonderful nieces and nephews. And loved by her extended family and so many close amazing, kind-hearted, closely connected friends everywhere.
~ Mom was a gracious host and truly has so many amazing groups of friends from her childhood, school year to teacher years, theatre group, Whitby connections, volunteers, Fox lake and Huntsville friendships. All her friendships meant the world to her and she cherished them all. The following quote from a bookmark, she kept dear to her as she read many of books over the years.
" The Miracle of Friendships -
There's a miracle called friendship that dwells within the heart, And you don't know how it happens or when it gets it's start. But the happiness it brings you always gives a special gift. And you realize that friendship is life's most precious gift."
~ In lieu of flowers (even though she loved the beauty in all flowers, plants, and trees), memorial donations may be made to the Hospice Huntsville/Algonquin Grace, Sick Kids or to St. Mark's United Church. All donations may be made online on the following sites:
Hospice Huntsville/Algonquin Grace:
hospiceh@vianet.ca
SickKids:
http://www.sickkidsfoundation.com
St. Mark's United Church:
"In a brilliant lightning flash we are born. And the brilliance still lasts when we die. So short is life."
Virtual Visitation for Family and Friends to follow shortly. Please stay tuned to this website for further details. We also hope to hold a memorial in the future.
Gustavo Beaquer, 19th c. Poet
"Good times are ahead- it's like the circle of life - spring is again repeating its self after a cold winter (with little snow). Eventually things will bloom even though there are some dark days ahead. There will be greenery and flowers on the way."
"I truly have had a marvelous life -an educational childhood in music, choir, fun teen years with the family, watching my children growing up to be responsible citizens and the joy of grandparenting that I truly loved being included in your life. Don and I have had a happy life and we are so grateful to my family and friends. I thought our wedding was the happiest day of my life, but I was wrong. With each year in our marriage, our love continued to grow, and with the birth of our beautiful children and their spouses, and grandchildren, our happiness and love grew and grew. I couldn’t believe that could happen.
I've met so many wonderful friends and gracious Volunteers over my life that have enriched myself and my family. I'm so fortunate to have met the Volunteers at the hospital and I thank you so much for all of your love on my journey. Volunteering was a great experience and I treasure all of you that I met.
We must remember to nurture our love for each other to let it grow and in the sailor’s words, “May the wind always be at your back and may the sun and bright moon guide you all along life’s path.”
It's been a marvelous life and I hope you will enjoy and cherish the same - Good health, great family and all the love that can possibly be for each and everyone that I have had the privilege to meet and enjoy.”
“Trust in all my love!”
Written by Elizabeth
Liz touched many lives and her beauty will forever shine brightly in our hearts.
