Mary Elizabeth Bruce was born in Marquette, Michigan on February 5, 1929 to Theresa and Robert Bruce. Mary was the youngest of four children and grew up in Marquette, Michigan. Mary attended St. Joseph's Academy in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mary worked as a registered nurse after earning her RN at St. Mary's Hospital in Milwaukee. Mary married Ervin Sheperd on April 19, 1952; they had five children and raised them in Fox Point, Wisconsin. In 1988, Mary and Ervin retired to Florida. Mary loved to keep busy. You would frequently find her in her garden or squirreling away some needed item for future use. Mary had an eye for beauty and arrangement, and became an accomplished master gardener. She was an excellent seamstress, making clothes for herself and her children. She also knitted, upholstered, and even dabbled in oil and acrylic painting. Mary is survived by her husband, Ervin, children Michael, Susan (Bill), Nancy (Pat), Peter (Cyndi) and 6 grandchildren and 4 great-grandchildren. Mary was preceded in death by her son Robert.