Rita Jane Shepard

Rita Jane Shepard, of Lakeside, Navajo County, Arizona passed away on Good Friday, March 25, 2016, in Lakeside.  She was 92 years old.  Rita was born on April 27, 1924, in Fairport Harbor, Lake County, Ohio to her parents, the late Ernst and Margaret (McCabe) Werbeach.Rita grew up and attended school in Fairport Harbor and graduated from Fairport Harbor High School.  She worked at Diamond Alkali during World War II in Fairport.   In Painsville, Ohio, Rita met the love of her life, Daniel Shepard and, on December 27, 1947, they were married.  Together, they built a house on Shepard Road in Perry, Ohio before moving to McNary, Arizona in 1962, due to their eldest son, John's, health issues.  She worked for the McNary schools for 22 years, before her retirement in 1990.  While in McNary, Rita and Daniel were very active and heavily involved at St. Anthony's Catholic Church.  She truly loved the Native American children and was Godmother to many, many children.  In 1991, they moved from McNary to Lakeside.  They lived together in Lakeside until Daniel's passing in 1994.  Rita continued to live at their Lakeside home until moving to Solterra Senior Living in 2010, where she has since resided.Rita is survived by her sons:  John (Carole) Shepard of St. Johns, Arizona, Tom (Cathy) Shepard of Burlingame, Kansas; 9 grandchildren:  Michelle, John, Jennifer, Curt, Jennifer, Tim, Jeremy, Joshua, Phillip; 10 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild and by a sister, Joanne Werbeach of Painsville, Ohio.She was preceded in death by her loving husband on December 20, 1994.The Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will begin 2:00 P.M., Thursday, March 31, 2016, at St. Rita's Catholic Church, 1400 E. Owens in Show Low, Arizona.  The concluding committal service and interment will immediately follow at the Lakeside Cemetery, where she will be laid to rest alongside her beloved Daniel.Memorial contributions, in her name, to St. Rita's Catholic Church, 1400 E. Owens, Show Low, Arizona 85901 have been suggested by her family.Owens Livingston Mortuary - White Mountain Chapel of Show cared for the arrangements. For those who have special memories and would like to send private condolences, or sign online guest book, we invite you to visit our website at www.owenslivingstonmortuary.com .