Karen A. (Shepard) Smith

Karen A. (Shepard) Smith, a lifelong resident of Bennington, Vermont, passed away peacefully on March 22, 2026, at Southwestern Vermont Medical Center.

Born on October 9, 1960, in Bennington, Karen was the beloved daughter of the late Philip and Wilma (Bacon) Shepard.

Karen received her education at Southern Vermont College in Bennington, where she earned a degree in Business Accounting. She began her career as a tax preparer with H&R Block and later continued helping family and friends with their taxes—something she truly enjoyed. She eventually retired from her role as an office administrator at MACE Security International, Inc. in Bennington.

In her retirement, Karen found joy in life’s simple pleasures. She loved arts and crafts, especially painting, crocheting, and quilting. Above all else, her greatest joy and purpose in life was being a devoted and loving grandmother to Kourtney, Nicholas, Emma, Payton, and Leo.

Karen’s Christian faith was deeply important to her. She shared that love daily, faithfully sending her daughters and grandchildren her cherished nightly message: “Goodnight, sweet dreams. God bless you. I love you.”

Karen is survived by her brother, Joseph Shepard (Beverly Shepard), and her sister, Barbara Snow (Burton); her daughters, Nichole Shepard, Raechel Shepard, Danielle Eschelbach, and Kimberly Smith; and her beloved grandchildren, Kourtney Saunders (soon to be Mrs. Sean Lloyd), Nicholas Shepard, Emma and Payton Fraize, and Leo Shepard and friend Justine Mason.

Funeral services for Karen will be held Friday March 27, 2026 at 2pm at E.P. Mahar & Son Funeral Home 628 Main Street Bennington, VT. Visiting hours at the funeral home will be held from Noon-2pm two hours prior to the service.

The family kindly asks for donations to help with funeral and memorial expenses. More information can be found on the family’s GoFundMe page, which has been shared on Facebook.