Barbara Ann Brandes Shepard passed to her Heavenly home on 13 January 2026 (90 years of age) at the WNY Veterans Nursing home in Batavia following a long battle with dementia and a recent stroke.

     Barb was born on 13 April 1935 in Scottsville, NY, the daughter of Herbert and Anna (Ryan) Brandes.

     While raising 7 children, Barb worked as a nurse’s aide prior to becoming a Licensed Practical Nurse in 1975. She worked as an LPN at Bramoor Home for Adults, St. Luke’s Manor SNF, and in the offices of Dr. Lee and Dr. Parker. Barb was talented at sewing, crocheting and knitting and she was an amazing gardener. Her flower gardens were the envy of the neighborhood. After retirement, she and her beloved husband, Bob, traveled extensively in their motor home and spent winters in Florida. They also spent a lot of time in the woodlands cutting and splitting wood for heating their home. Her grandchildren credited her for instilling in them a strong work ethic as she out-worked them at the wood splitter. Barb also enjoyed spending time in the O-At-Ka Creek behind their home, fishing, catching crayfish or ice skating with her children and grandchildren. Her favorite card games were Canasta and Rummy. Many summer days were spent playing card games at her parents’ home on Sweetland Road.

     Barb married Robert Wayne Shepard 23 October 1954 at Immaculate Conception Church in East Bethany, NY. They were the first couple to get married at the newly built church, and they enjoyed serving the church in many capacities. They built their house together on Bernd Road in Le Roy and added onto it as their family grew. They celebrated their 71st wedding anniversary in 2025. They are the parents of 7 children, grandparents of 20, great-grandparents of 36 and one great-great-grandchild.

     Children of Bob and Barb Shepard: Bonnie Shepard Allen, Robert J. (Kathy) Shepard; Brenda Shepard Carlson; Brett (Donna) Shepard; Barbara Lynn Shepard; Brad (Betsy) Shepard; Brandon (Barby) Shepard.

     Grandchildren: Rachel, Heather, Ryan (Nicole)and Todd (Chrissy) Allen; Brian Ingalls, Scott (Jody), Gail (Byron) De Witt ; Josh (Amber), Jared (Shannon), Emma (Joseph) Leatham, Daniel Carlson; Shannon (Rob) Harkins, Cristen (Pete) Kingston, Jeremy (Stephanie Curry); Nicole Shepard, Morgan Mix (Dylan Dunbar), Justin Di Falco; Deanna (Mike) Jackson; Nathan and Natalee Shepard.

     Great-Grandchildren: Hala Allen; Riley Allen; Katya and Anya Allen; Kyle and Haley Ingalls; Jordyn and Joslyn Shepard; Bailey and Anna Logsdon; Cameron, Aria and Joshua James Carlson; Lana, Titus, Sage, Seneca and Ephraim Carlson; Logan, Lily, Gabriel and Ava Leatham; Margo and Oliver Carlson; Addison, Jayden and Olivia Harkins; Logan and Carter Kingston, Dylan and Brooklyn Shepard; Wyatt and Mellie Young, Jamie Dunbar; Peyton and Archer Jackson and Great-Great Grandchild, Harley Retta (Haley Ingalls).

    Barb was predeceased by her parents, Herbert and Anna (Ryan) Brandes; Bob’s parents, Harry and Pearl Shepard; 2 premature infants, Betsy Lynn and Brian Shepard; granddaughter, Shannon Shepard Harkins; siblings, Herbert Brandes Jr. (Agnes), John Brandes (Martha), Arlene Brandes Hall (George aka Gerry), Mary Brandes Pollock (William), James Brandes; Sisters/Brothers-in-law, Ruby Shepard Ackley (Reid), Dorothy Shepard Waite Kelly (Norman and Pete); nephews, Thomas Waite and Russell Shepard (Susan Hoe) and niece, Wendy; nephews, Dale Kelso and David Brandes and niece Carrie Brandes.

     Family and friends are invited to Barb’s Rite of Christian Burial to be held on Friday, January 23rd at 10:00 AM at St. Mary’s Worship Site, 11095 St. Mary’s Street, Pavilion, N.Y. 14525.

     The courtesy of no flowers is requested with memorials suggested to the NYS Veterans Home at Batavia, 220 Richmond Avenue, Batavia, N.Y. 14020