Lidia P. Shepherd, age 87, passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020. She was a resident of Colorado Springs for over 42 years. She was pre-deceased by her husband, Ben M. Shepherd (d. 2017).
She was born on October 2, 1933, in the village of Lukini, Slovenia, to Andrej and Anna (Mascic) Palcich. After World War II ended, she traveled to Trieste, Italy to join her sister Aurelia Walker, and eventually began working for the Army Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES). It was while working for AAFES in Vicenza, Italy that she met Ben Shepherd. They were married on September 29, 1956 and remained married until his death on October 5, 2017.
Lidia was a devoted wife and mother who worked throughout the years as she and her family moved around the world with the military. She worked for an insurance company, did office work and served as the St. Pauls’ parish secretary. Lidia also obtained her real estate license in California and in Colorado.
She loved making her home here in Colorado Springs. Southwest of town along the mountains and amidst all of the beautiful wildlife. Lidia and her late husband Ben enjoyed a lot of activities throughout their lives like motorcycle riding, the American Italian Club, and being a part of St. Joseph’s parish. They especially enjoyed camping. They took many trips across the country- all to see and spend time with family and friends.
Lidia is survived by her three children, James (Fran) Shepherd, Shirley (Dan) Miller, Anna (Mark) Benson; her sisters, Aurelia Walker, Maria Franza (Ivan); her grandchildren, Josh, Kaitie, Zoe, Mahriana, Jia, Aaron, Amanda, Abigail; her great grandchildren, Emma, Alex, and Brooks, along with many extended family and friends.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021 at 11:00 am with the eulogy being read at 10:20 am and a rosary at 10:30 am at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church.
Memorials in Lidia’s name can be made to St. Jude’s Research Hospital (donors@stjude.org).
The service will be available through Zoom for anyone that cannot attend.
Join Zoom Meetinghttps://us02web.zoom.us/j/83351766356?pwd=RWZOS2N1a1E0bU9HRUlaeUZhWTc4Zz09
Meeting ID: 833 5176 6356 Passcode: 638438