Pamela (Shepard) Turner

Pamela (Shepard) Turner, 67, of Amherst, died surrounded by family February 21, 2012, at the Community Hospice House in Merrimack, after a courageous journey with esophageal cancer.

Born on September 8, 1944, to Wallace and Lois Shepard, Pam was raised in Gardiner, Maine. She received a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Eastern Nazarene College in 1966. There, she met and married her husband Frank Turner in 1966. Pam went on to study at Rivier College where she earned a master’s degree in Education. After college, Pam taught in the Newport, Hollis and Nashua Elementary Public School systems.

In 1974, in conjunction with the staff at Community Chapel in Nashua, Pam co-founded the Nashua Child Learning Center (NCLC) and served as its director for 15 years. She maintained an ongoing association with NCLC as a member of the Board of Directors and as a Curriculum Advisor. Pam’s influential work at NCLC positively impacted many children and families in the Nashua community. In 1989, she left NCLC to assume the role of kindergarten coordinator for the Nashua School District. In this position, Pam developed the first public kindergarten program in the city of Nashua.

Other highlights of Pam’s career as an educator included serving in an interim principal, teaching many grade levels and training teachers and students in association with the REA and Reading First grants.

Pam retired from teaching in 2009 and turned her energies to traveling and spending time with her children and grandchildren. As an active member of Community Chapel in Nashua, Pam continued her passion for helping children in need. She participated in countless local events and community drives, and organized meals for the local soup kitchen. She traveled to Russia three times on mission trips where she interacted with local churches, schools and orphanages.

Pam is survived by her husband of 45 years, Frank Turner; three daughters, Shayna Burgher of Brookline, NH, Amy Johnston of Mead, CO, and Melinda Rosen, of Portsmouth, NH; and three sons-in-law, Peter Burgher, Adam Johnston, and Michael Rosen. She is also survived and will be deeply missed by eight grandchildren. Pam was the youngest of eight children. Preceding her in death were her mother and father, and four brothers, Wallace Jr., Ken, Conrad, and Carol Shepard, all of Maine. Surviving siblings include Winston Shepard, Beverly Shaw of Maine and Sylvia Colfer of Florida. Pam is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorials:
In lieu of flowers, donations in Pam’s memory may be directed to the Nashua Child Learning Center Pam Turner Scholarship Fund at 5 ½ St. Laurent Street Nashua, NH, 03064; or the Fairgrounds Elementary School, Pamela Turner Fund at 37 Blanchard Street, Nashua, NH 03060.

Visitation:
Calling hours will be held at Davis Funeral Home, 1 Lock Street, Nashua, NH from 4-7p.m. on Friday, February 24.

Service:
A celebration of Pam’s life will be held on Saturday, February 25, at 11 a.m. at Community Chapel, 5 St. Laurent Street in Nashua.

Cemetery:
An interment service will follow at Edgewood Cemetery, and family and friends are invited to return for a time of fellowship at Community Chapel.