Marianne Dorundo Shepherd

Marianne (Dorundo) Shepherd, 66, of Elliottsburg, PA, passed away peacefully at home on June 2, 2025, surrounded by the family she loved with her whole heart. Born in Greensburg, PA, Marianne was the daughter of the late Mary Clouser and Edward Dorundo. She graduated from West Perry High School in 1976 and dedicated much of her professional life to serving her community, first with PennDOT and later as a Perry County Case Manager for the Rental Assistance program. But the work she held most dear was never found in a job title—it was in being a wife, a mother, and the heart of a deeply close-knit family. For 47 years, Marianne shared life with her husband, Benjamin E. Shepherd. Married for 44 of those years, the two built a partnership grounded in steadfast love, quiet strength, and an unshakable bond. Together with their children, Rachel and Matthew, they were—always—the four of them. A unit. A team. A circle that held strong through every season of life. That closeness wasn’t measured in grand gestures or far-off travels. It was felt in the everyday moments: evenings at home, shared meals, phone calls just to check in, inside jokes, unspoken understanding. It was felt in the way they showed up for each other—not just in times of celebration, but especially in times of need. Even now, that love continues. Marianne may be gone, but the bond she nurtured remains fiercely alive in her family’s presence for one another. The four of them—then and now—have always been, and will always be, home. Marianne is survived by her husband, Ben; her daughter Rachel B. Strella and husband Nathan Smeal of Harrisburg, PA; her son Matthew D. Shepherd and wife Allyson of Reading, PA. She is also survived by her sister, Vivian Dorundo; her brother, George Dorundo and his wife Winnie; and many nieces, nephews, and dear friends who will carry her memory with them always. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Edward Dorundo and Robert Dorundo. Marianne loved the simple joys of life: curling up with a good book, caring for animals, feeding the birds outside her window—especially hummingbirds—and playing a competitive game of pool. She had a gentle heart, a quiet wit, and a strength that anchored her family. And while she only took one trip to Hawaii, she brought warmth and wonder to every place she went, simply by being herself. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday, June 11th at Boyer Family Funeral Home in New Bloomfield, PA. A visitation will be held one hour prior to the service. An informal reception will follow at the VFW in Newport. Burial will be in Indiantown Gap National Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The Boyer Family is honored to handle the arrangements for the Shepherd/Dorundo Families.

Marianne Dorundo Shepherd

August 15, 1958 - June 2, 2025