Joyce Theresa Hershey Sheppard

On April 14, 2026 Joyce Theresa Hershey Sheppard passed peacefully into the loving arms of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

She was born on June 10, 1943 in Takoma Park, Maryland to David William Hershey and Frances Margaret Rice Hershey.

She graduated from Wheaton High School 1961 and went on to earn a Bachelors Degree in Nursing and a Masters Degree in Pastoral Counseling.

She was a devoted member of Saint John of the Cross in Vero Beach and a faithful member of The Community of the Carmel of St. John of the Cross Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites. She was able to take her final Carmelite vows on April 13. This brought her much joy.

Joyce loved babies. She loved holding and caring for them. She was a loving mother, foster mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved travel, especially to Italy. She became fluent in Italian. She visited many times and was able to invite family and friends to go with her. It brought her such joy to share Italy with others. In her 30’s she bought a motorcycle and loved taking trips on it. She once rode it from Maryland to Texas and back with her teenaged daughter. She was an avid Jeopardy fan.

Joyce began her career working at Holy Cross Hospital, then Montgomery General Hospital, and then Children’s Hospital National Medical Center in Washington DC. At Children’s she worked in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. She loved caring for the sickest children and was sad to retire due to health issues. After moving to Vero Beach, FL, she began working for the hospital as a visitation volunteer, making sure new admissions had their spiritual needs met.

She was preceded in death by her son Charlie, daughter Jan and husband Ern.

She is survived by her sister Janet, Son-in-law Paul, daughter Chrissie (Jon), grandchildren Aubrey, Todd (Heather), Nick, David (Sarah), Tim, Sarah (Brandon) great-grandchildren Jared, Adam, and Kolten and many loving friends who now look forward to being reunited with her in heaven.

Arrangements by Strunk Funeral Homes & Crematory, Vero Beach, Florida.

A guestbook is available at https://www.strunkfuneralhome.com

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