We are saddened to share the news of the sudden passing of Betty Sheppard on Saturday January 30th while she was travelling. Betty was involved with Cystic Fibrosis Canada in several capacities for over 30 years and her steadfast presence throughout the cystic fibrosis (CF) journey has made an everlasting impact.
Betty was the CF Clinic Nurse Coordinator at the Janeway Children’s Health Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland from 1988 to 2006. She was one of the first people a family would meet following a cystic fibrosis diagnosis, and would go out of her way to support them in any way she could, often going above and beyond what was expected of her. Betty was the driving force behind the clinic’s efficient operation and also ran the travelling clinics to outlying areas of the province. Because of her knowledge of CF and of individual patients' specific needs, a half-hour telephone conversation to a distant patient often eliminated the need for a long, unscheduled trip to the clinic, or even for a hospitalization. Often described by her peers as “an icon of the Janeway,” Betty was highly regarded by patients, families, clinic team members and physicians.
After her departure from the CF clinic in 2006, Betty became the Newfoundland & Labrador Chapter President and received the Passion to Cure CF Award in 2015. Through Betty’s career as a CF nurse and a CF Canada volunteer, she has impacted so many people. Betty will be greatly missed.
On behalf of Cystic Fibrosis Canada, we extend sincere condolences to the Sheppard family. Please join me in sending along deepest condolences to Betty’s family and friends.
