Esther (Rickards) Shepherd

ESTHER SHEPHERD

With her family by her side, Esther Shepherd passed away at her home in Freeport Ohio on August 13, 2021, at the age of 90

She was preceded in death by her husband, Harry and daughter, Cathy Marie. 

She was born on August 7, 1931 in Windsor, England to David and Florence Rickards and grew up on Tarbay dairy farm. She lived through the battle of Britain in World War II during her youth. Esther came to the United States when she was 21 years old. Here she met and married her husband Harry and together they raised their family while working their dairy farm. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother and loved spending time with her family. 

Esther became a United States citizen and was a proud American. She always maintained the British axiom of keeping a stiff upper lip. 

Esther loved flowers, gardening, and knitting. She enjoyed going to auctions and had quite an eye for antiques. Her greatest passion was her Ayrshire cows, which she proudly showed at the Guernsey County and Ohio State Fairs, winning many ribbons. Esther also showed her flowers, antiques, and knitting at the Guernsey County fair. She was a member of East Richland Friends Church. 

Cherishing Esther's memory are those who survive including her children, Fred (Evelyn) Shepherd of Owen-Withee, Wisconsin, Patricia Lake of St. Clairsville, and Sheila (Stephen) Harper of Findlay; grandchildren Jennifer (Eric) Borgeson, Dewey (Crystal) Shepherd, Brandy Breuckman, Kati Lake (Brian Boyd), Will (Erin) Lake, and Laura Harper, and 11 great grandchildren. 

Family and friends will gather for visitation on Thursday, August 19, 2021, from 4 to 8 PM, Patron Funeral Homes & Crematory, Kelly Kemp Braido. 702 East Main St., Barnesville, where the service for Esther will be conducted on Friday, August 20, 2021 at 1 PM. The Reverend Ray Benesh will be officiating. Interment will follow at Sunset View Cemetery in Londonderry.

Please send prayers, share memories, and express condolences to the Shepherd family during this time by visiting: patronfuneralhomesandcrematory.com.

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