Eulogy for Missy

Melissa May Kelsey Shepherd


Melissa May Kelsey Shepherd lovingly referred to as Missy, wonderful mother, wife, daughter and sister passed away on January 16, 2010, due to complications from an automobile accident.

She was born August 15, 1977 in Salt Lake City, Utah to Jenifer L. Hall Kelsey and Roger Lee Kelsey. She married Matthew Dale Shepherd October 18, 1997. In the year 2000 on August 3 they had a daughter Dayna Marie Shepherd. Melissa cherished the time spent with her daughter, Dayna. They enjoyed walking their dogs, doing puzzles, and painting together.

Missy lived all of her life in Kearns, Utah and recently moved to Saint George in October. She attended Western Hills Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Junior High, and Kearns High school, where she was involved in drama club and was in various plays. She also attended Salt Lake Community College.

Missy loved the outdoors, camping, hiking, and fishing. She would always look forward to the week of camping in the mountains with friends and family. She enjoyed scrapbooking and photography and could play a mean game of Canasta.

She loved the gospel and had many church callings which she treasured. She cherished the Young Women that she taught and cared for them deeply. Melissa had a spirit of charity and could not let a day go by without helping someone in one way or another. She has touched many lives with her loving and caring spirit and has changed many hearts.

Melissa is survived by her husband, Matthew Dale Shepherd, her daughter, Dayna Marie Shepherd. Her parents, Roger and Jenifer Kelsey. And by her three brothers, Chester (Christa) Kelsey, Roger L. (Stephanie) Kelsey and Adam (Cindy) Kelsey. And various nieces and nephews.

She will be greatly missed.

FUNERAL ARRANGEMENTS

Many of you have asked how you could help, where to send flowers, etc. We are comforted by the outpouring of love we have felt from those who knew and loved Melissa. Some of you have known her for years, some for only months. Either way, Melissa was easy to get to know and love.

FLOWERS: The mortuary address is: Redwood Memorial Mortuary, 6500 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville, Utah 84123 The church address is: Western Hills Stake Center, 5480 West 5400 South, Kearns

MEMORIAL FUND: A memorial fund has been set up to assist with expenses. Those who wish to donate can do so at any Mountain America Credit Union. The fund is called the Melissa Shepherd Memorial Fund.

FUNERAL: Saturday, January 23, 11:00 a.m. at Western Hills Stake Center, 5480 West 5400 South, Kearns

VIEWING: Western Hills Stake Center: Friday, January 22, 6-8 p.m., and Saturday, January 23, 9:30-10:30 a.m.

INTERMENT: Redwood Memorial Cemetary, 6500 South Redwood Road, Taylorsville

Return Home

Melissa returned home to her Father in Heaven this afternoon. Her fight is over and she is now at peace. We are very grateful for the sealing blessings of the temple and the knowledge that this is just the end of her mortal journey and we will see her again. We are grateful for all of the prayers on her behalf and hope you will continue to remember Matt and Dayna as they face this temporary yet very difficult separation.
When we know about funeral arrangements, we will post again. Thanks again for your prayers.

Matthew's Status

• Matthew is very strong and Valiant, he needs all of our prayers to get through this though.


• We truely appreciate the prayers and service that so many of you have offered and rendered on Their behalf.


• Every ounce of kindness and help is valuable beyond compare and he does appreciate it all. Thank You! to the wonderful people who have taken time to bring food and comfort to him in the hospital, and to those in Saint George who are doing so much to help keep things on track there.


• Especially to Marianne and John who have gone the extra mile to create this Blog so that all who desire can know the details of what is going on each day as well as the many other things that they have done for Matt and Melissa in the past few months.

Dayna's Status

Dayna is hanging in there. As to be expected she is a little insecure and would like to return to school. Her friends at school sent some cards and she was extremely happy to read them. She has been able to see Melissa a few times and has a positive outlook for her recovery for the most part. She is a great strength to Matt.

Out of Surgery

The plastic surgeon took Melissa into surgery just after 5:00 tonight. He reported to Matt just before 11:00. He did facial reconstruction, repairing fractures in her optic nerve canal, nose, cheek, and jaw. Although it took about an hour and a half more than he anticipated, he said "no worries". He reported that everything went well. Thanks again for all ther prayers on Melissa's behalf today.

Also, a huge thanks to the wonderful, selfless service, given by the Price Hills Ward Relief Society tonight. Thank you for putting away the Christmas decorations and cleaning the apartment. Your love and concern are appreciated more than we can express.

More surgery to come

Today: nothing new. Tomorrow the reconstruction surgery on Melissa's face is scheduled. We want to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. We know sometimes it seems that praying is the only thing you can do, but in reality it is the most powerful thing you can do. God does hear and answer prayers and he has been watching over Melissa.