Age 94
It is with great sadness that the family of Rose Gallagher Sheppard (McGettigan) announce that she passed away peacefully at James Paton Memorial Hospital on June 6, 2017 at the age of 94 years. She was a wonderful mother, kind person, dear friend to many, and touched the lives of anyone who knew her. Rose was born in Donegal, Ireland, on May 20th, 1923. She had a vocation to be a nurse. She left Ireland to train in London in 1941. She excelled in her profession and nursed in a number of hospitals in London throughout the Second World War. After the war, in 1953 Rose immigrated to Newfoundland with fellow nurse and lifelong friend Bridget Rice Cheeks to nurse in Gander. Later she was transferred to Placentia to be the supervisory nurse where she was the supervisory nurse responsible for all departments of the hospital, even payroll much to her dismay. This was a very challenging role as there was only one doctor and when the doctor was away all births and minor surgeries were her sole responsibility. Rose's nursing experience also included working in the TB sanatorium in Kentville, Nova Scotia. In her very humorous fashion, Rose told her family and friends many fascinating stories. These stories included tales about her experiences working as a nurse in the cottage hospital system and her more harrowing stories about nursing in London during World War II while bombs were falling on the hospital. Rose met the love of her life, Douglas Sheppard, at the Queen's Coronation Ball in Gander in 1953. They married in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1955 and returned to Gander to raise their family. This was a big decision for Rose, as she was from a very large loving Irish family which she knew she would miss dearly if she moved permanently to Newfoundland. It was a move she never regretted as she made many wonderful friends and loved her life in Newfoundland. Her fondest memories included spending time with her friends and family, playing the odd game of 120's and exploring this beautiful province and Canada. Rose was predeceased by best friend and loving husband of 57 years Douglas Sheppard, parents; Edward and Margaret McGettigan, brothers: Edward, Patrick, John, and Seamus. sisters: Margaret, Kathleen, and Nora. Left to mourn son: Paul (Lori), daughters: Judy Ash (Sean), Mary Rose Blackmore (Brian), Ethna Richters (Fred), grandchildren: Adam Blackmore (Danielle), Seamus Blackmore (Ann), Taylor Sheppard, Evan Sheppard, Madison Sheppard, and great-grandchild Rory Blackmore, brother: Anthony McGettigan, sisters: Mary (Paddy) Smith, Ethna (Brian) Healy, and Nuala Russel, brother-in-law: Cyril Sheppard (Millicent) Corner Brook, many loving nieces and nephews, Marion Cheeks and family, and loving god-daughter Gertie and husband Murray Strickland. Special thanks to all the staff of the Nightingale Manor and the nursing staff of James Paton Memorial Hospital for their wonderful care and support of Rose. Visitation is on Thursday, June 8th 2017 from 2:00 P.M. - 4:00 P.M. and from 7:00 - 9:00 PM at Stacey's Funeral Home. A funeral service celebrating her life will be held the following day on Friday, June 9th, 10:00 A.M. at St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Church, Bishop Street, Gander, NL. Interment will follow at All Saints Cemetery. A reception will follow at the McCarthy Centre. Donations in Rose's memory may be made to Cobbs Pond Park Rotary Foundation. Messages of condolence can be left at www.staceysfuneral home.com.