Obituary of Helene Spencer Shepherd

Helene Spencer Shepherd was born on June 14, 1930, to Frank and Fanny Shepherd in Pasadena, California, the youngest of three children. Her siblings were Frances and Frank.Her father’s work took them to Fresno when she was a young teenager. Helene excelled at figure skating. Unbeknownst to her family, she auditioned for the Ice Capades and was offered a position. When her parents found out they nixed that career choice. Helene attended Fresno High and Marymount High School in Los Angeles. Helene married Harold C. Trunk (Buzz) from Fresno in 1949. They had three children: Susan, Sari and Jon. The family moved to Lafayette, CA. Helene was a dedicated stay-at-home mom who supported her kids at Lafayette Elementary, Stanley Intermediate and Campolindo High schools. She also supported the kids’ recreational activities: Susan and Sari’s horseback riding and guitar lessons; Sari’s tennis; and Jon’s drum lessons and gymnastics. Helene was so proud that her kids all went to college, something she didn’t accomplish for herself. When the kids left home, and Helene and Buzz divorced, Helene started her dream job: selling china, crystal and silver at Breuner’s Home Furnishings in Pleasant Hill. She won many prizes and recognition for her sales success. Helene moved to Benicia to be near Susan and her husband Jack. She enjoyed walking with her Poodle Joey at the Benicia Marina and made many friends there. She also liked reading and gardening. Helene eventually moved to Walnut Creek to live with Susan and Jack. By this time she was confined to a wheelchair due to a stroke and back problems and lived a restricted lifestyle, but she had the constant companionship of her Toy Poodles, Posey, and then Beau. Helene passed away at home with her children by her side on November 6, 2022. Helene is survived by her three children and one grandchild: Susan Cooper (Jack) in Walnut Creek; Sari Trunk (Elaine Steele) in Grass Valley; Jon Trunk (Charles Johnson) in Sherman Oaks; and Jon’s son, Carlos Trunk, in Sherman Oaks. The family sincerely thanks Lupe Marquez for 25 years of loving assistance for Mom. We also thank Hospice of the East Bay and Bruns House for their care and expertise at the end of her life.