1936 - 2026
Born in Glace’ Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada, on February 28th, 1936, Dolores was the daughter of the late Thomas and Catherine (McMurray) MacNeil. She was raised in Canada and was a member of the 1953 champion basketball team at St. Ann’s Catholic High School. She came to the United States in 1957, first living in Jamaica Plain before moving to Medway, where she lived for 31 years. She later moved to Plainville, where she had lived for 27 years.
Dolores was devoted to her family and spent much of her life caring for her husband and sisters during their times of need. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother who will be deeply missed by everyone who knew her. She was also an avid Boston sports fan, always cheering for the Bruins, Red Sox, Patriots, and Celtics.
Dolores was the wife of the late Gerald G. Sheppard, with whom she shared more than 67 years of marriage. She is survived by her children, Catherine Converse and her husband, Thomas, of Plainville; Gerald Sheppard and his wife, Janice, of Spofford, New Hampshire; James Sheppard of Plainville; and William Sheppard of East Bridgewater. She was predeceased by her son, Joseph Sheppard, and daughter-in-law, Sherrie Sheppard.
She also leaves her grandchildren, Krystine Del Grosso, Staci Converse, Andrew Sheppard, Amanda Lema, Jenna Wilson, Amber Sheppard, Sarah Sheppard, and Hannah Sheppard, along with 11 great-grandchildren: Joshua, Liam, Tommy, Henry, Harper, Alexi, Layla, Avery, Carter, Wesley, and Wyatt.
Dolores is also survived by her sibling, Daniel MacNeil of Truro, Canada. She was predeceased by her brothers John and Arthur MacNeil and sisters Jean Flood, Margaret Duncan, Kathleen Sullivan, Annmarie Donahue, and Rita O’Brien.
Visitation will be held Tuesday, October 20th, from 8:30 to 9:45 AM at Ginley Crowley Funeral Home, located at 3 Barber Street in Medway. Her funeral Mass will follow at 10 AM at St. Joseph Church in Medway. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hands and Hearts Hospice, located at 34 Washington Street, Suite 100, in Wellesley.
