Friday, April 27, 2007 7:48 AM CDT
Friends remember Shepherd's dedication to others
By DAVE FOPAY, Staff Writer
dfopay@jg-tc.com
CHARLESTON — When she decided to retire 13 years ago, Rose Mary Shepherd wrote about some “painful but influential” moments in her life.
Included in those thoughts about her accomplishments in education and elsewhere, she remembered a near-fatal automobile accident and her fight with cancer, neither of which kept her from accomplishing what she wanted to do.
“With the promises of my faith, the love of God, husband, family and friends, and with the satisfying work I do, I am a survivor,” Shepherd wrote.
Her career as superintendent of the area’s Regional Office of Education ended in June 1994. Now, just days after her life ended, the people who knew her say memories of a dedicated, talented, caring person are what will live on. Shepherd died Monday at the age of 71.
“Maybe she didn’t say no often enough,” said Bob Miller, who preceded Shepherd as regional superintendent, “but she got it done and did it well.”
Shepherd came to the Regional Office of Education in 1973 after teaching in public schools and Eastern Illinois University, and Miller named her his assistant superintendent in 1977. He said he was impressed with her respect for teachers, her leadership qualities, her capabilities and her efficiency.
“It was the best decision I ever made when I brought her in,” Miller said. “She was really dedicated to her work. She had great ideas on education.”
Miller recalled that he and Shepherd kept a list of projects they had planned. He said he’d often approach her to say he thought there was one that needed attention, and she usually replied that she already had an idea on how they could do it.
“She was always ahead of the game,” he said.
Current Regional Superintendent John McNary was Shepherd’s assistant during her entire tenure in the office. He said she became regional superintendent at a time known as “the summer of reform” in Illinois, when several new education laws were put into place.
“She was a fantastic leader, a great mentor and an inspiration to those around her,” McNary said.
Shepherd wanted the office to provide “more collaboration” with the school districts in what ended up being a seven-county region by doing such things as obtaining grants and adding positions that would directly help schools, he said.
McNary also credited Shepherd for starting the health occupations program that allows junior high and high school students to visit area hospitals to explore their interests in medical careers.
“Her first rule of thumb was to try to do what was best for children,” he said.
Linda Oakley, who’s been a secretary in the office for 30 years, recalled how Shepherd loved to send cards. Employees and others she knew could expected them for birthdays, anniversaries or “just because.”
Oakley also noted that Shepherd started the office’s yearly dinner for all school secretaries in the region, with the 23rd annual event taking place this week. It started as a workshop but soon evolved into “our way of showing appreciation for all they do to help us do our job,” she said.
“She was a wonderful boss,” Oakley said. “She went above and beyond to make you feel good as an employee.”
It wasn’t just Shepherd’s knowledge of education that came into play when former Charleston school district Superintendent Bill Hill came to Charleston 30 years ago. Hill said he and Shepherd were both from southern Illinois and she told him what to expect in Charleston and gave him advice on being a school superintendent in a university community.
“She was very much a mentor of mine when I first came here,” Hill said. “She was always up to whatever problem I had.”
Shepherd had a deep love of children that showed in her work and her personal life, evident in some of the things she said at the church they both attended, Wesley United Methodist, Hill added.
“She was always saying such things as we need to pray for children around the world,” he said. “She was so compassionate and had a passion for kids.”
Hill also described Shepherd as “a confidant” and said that was important for a school superintendent.
“I could talk to her about the professional problems I had and knew they would be held in confidence,” he said.
Shepherd’s community work included her church, a cancer survivors group at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and heading a group that raised money for the expansion of the Charleston Carnegie Public Library.
Library Director Sheryl Snider said Shepherd had the perfect qualities to lead the effort that raised about $7 million for the project.
“Rose Mary knew no strangers,” Snider said. “A lot of people knew and respected her.”
Shepherd “did not hesitate at all” when asked to lead the fund drive and quickly learned what was needed and started getting the message out and involving other people, Snider continued.
“When you have volunteers, you hope they get the message across,” she said. “Rose Mary was the message.”
Shepherd also did book presentations and re-enactments on her pioneer ancestors, Snider said, and she followed the progress of the expansion as it took place.
“She continued her enthusiasm right to the end,” she said.
Stephanie Rentfro, a technologist in the mammography department at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center, helps with a breast cancer support group to which Shepherd belonged. Shepherd frequently helped new members through a difficult time while being “just one of the girls,” she said.
Shepherd also worked at cancer research fundraisers and other events, Rentfro added.
“She got out in the community and definitely pushed for breast cancer awareness,” she said.
Contact Dave Fopay at dfopay@jg-tc.com or 348-5733.
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