Lynn Shepherd was born in Paris, Idaho, March 7, 1932 to June Rich and Eugene P. Shepherd. She passed away on July 8, 2021 in Syracuse, Utah. She had a younger sister, Lyllis Shepherd Tippetts, who passed away in December 2016.
At the age of five her family moved to Montpelier, Idaho where she lived until she completed her grade and high school education. Her main interests during school years were art, and music, especially the piano. She became quite accomplished in playing classical piano. Lynn and Lyllis played piano and organ duets a great deal for public programs throughout the area.
During her Junior year she was invited to give a program for the International Lions Club held in Sun Valley, Idaho. During her Senior year, she entered a “Western States Talent Show”, which was held in Salt Lake City, and consisted of contestants from Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Lynn won the competition.
During the summer after school graduation, Lynn and Lyllis performed a concert in the Montpelier High School playing duets, solos and a two-piano concerto for the public. She attended Ricks College, now known as BYU-Idaho after graduation on a music scholarship. However, she transferred to BYU her sophomore year. The man she knew she wanted to marry had returned from his LDS mission in Hawaii and was at Provo.
Lynn and Bruce Passey were married June 9, 1952 in the Salt Lake Temple. Upon completing the ROTC program and graduation from BYU they spent the next twenty years in the Air Force. They had homes in California, Texas, Nebraska, Kansas and Okinawa. Five of their children were born during those years; four boys and one girl. The years were challenging but very rewarding. Lynn taught piano lessons for 50 years and studied classical piano herself from professional teachers during their years in the military. After retiring from the military they made their home in Layton, Utah, and 14 years after their last child, they were blessed and surprised with another baby girl.
The opportunities she experienced as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has brought great blessings into her life. At the age of 13 she became the ward organist. Since that time until she reached the age of 80 years old she held one of the following musical callings: ward organist, choir director, pianist, ward and stake music directors. During those years she served as Ward Relief Society President, Stake Relief Society President, Ward Primary President and teacher and MIA President and teacher. She also served as an ordinance worker in the Ogden Temple for five years. This experience greatly increased her testimony of the temple and understanding of the importance of them. She loved spending time with her children and their families. She enjoyed being with people. Her hobbies for most of her life have been jigsaw puzzles, reading mysteries, biographies, histories, and church books. She learned to crochet at age 80, mainly making afghans.
Lynn had a strong testimony of the truthfulness of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. In her own words, “I have had a very blessed life.” Lynn and Bruce have 23 grandchildren and 32 great-grandchildren. Their children are: Kim Passey, Murray, UT; Bob and (Wendy) Passey, Kaysville, UT; Laura and (Loring) Cammack, Montpelier, ID; Tom and (Janeen) Passey, Layton, UT; Jeffrey Passey, Minneapolis, MN; Sara Passey, Layton, UT.
Funeral services will be held Monday, July 19, 2021 at 11 a.m. at the Syracuse Center Ward, 1660 W. 2228 S. Syracuse, Utah. Friends and family may call Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist’s Layton Mortuary, 1867 N. Fairfield Road, and Monday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Lindquist’s Memorial Park at Layton, 1867 N. Fairfield Road.