Harriet Shepherd, 1938-2010, of Vail
Vail, CO Colorado
Harriet Shepherd, 71, of Lago Vista, Tex., and Vail, died May 6, after battling brain cancer.
Born June 26, 1938, in Sioux City, Iowa, she graduated from the University of Iowa Teacher’s College. She left to explore Europe while teaching elementary school on a U.S. Air Force base in Kitzingen, Germany.
When she returned to the states she taught in several public school systems, including Doss Elementary in Austin, Texas. Students knew her for her dedication to excellence in education, her unfailing attention to their needs and the occasional use of a quick finger shake to keep unruly students in line. She was loved and valued by her husband and four daughters and loved them in return.
She was preceded in death last June by her husband of 42 years, Andy.
She is survived by daughters, Susan (Shep) Landy and husband Mike Landy, of Plano, Tex., Jennifer Amerkhail and husband Rahim Amerkhail, of Washington, DC, Amanda Shepherd, of Gaithersburg, Md., and Kristin Shepherd, of Vail. She also is survived by her sister, Joan Crabtree and husband Dan, of Denver; and one nephew, Matthew, of Denver.
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All her life, Harriet had a great love for nature and for traveling. She first learned to ski in the Austrian Alps. She thrived on the beautiful mountain surroundings in Vail, where she and her husband spent their summers hiking, biking and enjoying the birds and other wildlife. Her ashes will be scattered in these mountains that she loved so much.
A private memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Friday in East Vail. Call (202)321-0977 for more information. The family appreciates the outpourings of love and support from friends, especially those in the Vail Valley. Condolences may be mailed to 83 Swanton Mews #100, Gaithersburg, MD 20878.
