Rosanna Shepard

It’s with great sadness that the family announces the passing of Rosanna “Rose” (Finnerty) Shepard at the young age of 64, while surrounded by her loving family. Rose was the beloved wife of Howard Shepard with whom she just celebrated their 47th wedding anniversary in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, which was one of her favorite places to go and spend time together. She always felt at peace up there no matter what issues she was dealing with at the time. They were high school sweethearts and were inseparable and enjoyed each other’s company tremendously throughout their 50 years together.

Rose grew up in Lowell, spending a great deal of time with her Nana Dorothy Finnerty, who was loved by all who had the great pleasure of knowing her. Rose had a long battle with many health issues but refused to let them keep her down or stop her from what she loved the most, spending time with her husband and family. Rose loved her grandchildren greatly and enjoyed buying them gifts, especially at Christmas time, her favorite time of year. She would start shopping in July and find forgotten gifts well into the next year. She had a warm heart and a fighting spirit throughout her life of hardship, pain and health issues.

Rose is preceded by the sudden passing of her oldest son, Howard “Howie” Shepard, Jr., which broke her heart, while she would go on to smile again it was never as bright as before his passing. She loved all her grandchildren tremendously but with the passing of Howie she had a special place in her heart for Howie’s children, Connor and Hayley and Howie's wife, Christine all of Grafton.

Rose has gone to heaven to rejoin our son Howie and her loved ones but will never be forgotten as the heavens gained a beautiful angel.

In addition to her son, she is preceded by her parents, Mary J. (Berard) and Hugh Finnerty, her brothers, Hugh Finnerty, Jr. and Peter Finnerty and uncle Freddric Finnerty.

Rose is survived by her two sons, Matthew Shepard and his wife, Lisa of Lowell and Kyle Shepard and his fiancé, Charlene Areche of Merrimack, NH; her grandchildren, Madelyn, Liam, Kayleigh Rose, Tommy Lingley Shepard and Jolie Areche; her brothers, Kevin Finnerty and his wife, Alma, whom she was very close to of Townsend, Mikey Finnerty and his wife, Lorri of Tyngsboro and Patrick Finnerty and his wife, Tammy of Colorado; her sisters, Kim Lavoie and her husband, Dave of Dracut, Debby Credit, Elizabeth Darmco, Mary Stein and Kathy Philbrick; her nieces, Katie Lumb and Jennifer Pierce; her aunts, Loretta Pierce, Marlyn Delaney, Sharon Lemoth and Patricia Finnerty; a very close friend, Mildred Smith of Lowell; as well as many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Relatives and friends are invited to Rose’s Life Celebration at the McKENNA-OUELLETTE FUNERAL HOME, 327 Hildreth Street, Lowell on Friday, November 7, 2025 from 10 until 11 AM. Her funeral service will be celebrated immediately following at 11 AM in the funeral home. Burial to follow in Edson Cemetery, Lowell.