Shepard Foley Obituary

Shepard Henderson Foley

July 20, 1943 - March 19, 2026

Charlotte, North Carolina - Shepard Henderson Foley, age 82 and known to her friends and family as "Shep" passed peacefully to spirit in March 2026.

She was born in Winston-Salem, oldest daughter of David Henderson and Maxine Pusey Henderson. A life-long North Carolinian, she spent her formative years in Charlotte and summers "down East" with family in Aulander.

Shep was a 1961 graduate of Myers Park High School and the first of three generations to attend. There she found a love of language and art, later attending Duke University and graduating in 1964. She returned to Mecklenburg County where she served her community as a social worker.

Shep married her true love, Pete Foley in 1965 and raised two sons in Charlotte while supporting her husband in his legal, political and racing careers. She was a talented, prolific and nationally published watercolor artist whose love of nature and the outdoors appeared in magazines and books. Shep loved folk music, played piano and guitar and taught herself cooking, sewing and graphic design, being featured as a Charlotte Observer "Designer House" finalist in the late 1970's.

She spent many hours hiking in farm and field, riding horses and with her greatest love, the water. Shep was at home on pond, stream, lake or ocean or had a spiritual connection with the sea and birds; spending much time in her adopted homes of Southport and Caswell Beach. Shep and Pete competitively sailed on Lake Norman for decades, returning to Charlotte to be closer to their grandchildren.

Shep returned to school at Charlotte Piedmont College where she earned an additional degree and began another career as a Certified Medical Assistant, working for nearly 20 years at the Bradford Women's Health Clinic.

Shep and Pete weathered many storms and celebrated many successes together during their adventures. They enjoyed traveling, birding, and spending time outdoors. They most recently celebrated the milestone of 60 years of marriage.

She was a tireless advocate for wildlife, the arts, healthcare rights, political activism and the power of kindness to others. She befriended people from all walks of life and was unafraid of asking questions to anyone about anything. An inherently curious person, she loved to read, loved to learn, loved to laugh and loved to love. Shep's genuine care and compassion for others is evident by the many persons who were positively impacted by her; from neighbor, to patient, or the indigent where she volunteered at the Matthews Help Center. Whether baking cakes and cookies, writing cards or letters, creating art, donating her time to food and clothing drives or walking her community watch miles, she was always engaged and engaging - living her life in service to others always before self.

Shep deeply appreciated the support of all of the healthcare professionals and support staff throughout the years of her battle; and loved all of her sailing friends, beach buddies, neighbors, fellow artists, zoomba, dance and book club cronies and everyone else that gave her hope, care and support.

Shep is survived by her loving husband Peter "Pete" Foley, sons Brian and Douglas Foley, brother David Henderson and sister Anne Henderson and five grandchildren.

She was preceded in spirit by her parents and her loving and guiding "momma" Mrs. Lucy Reid of Charlotte.

The family will host a celebration of life event for friends in mid-April, details to follow. Shep will be interred in a private family ceremony at Belmont Abbey Church and Monastery.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to The North Carolina Wildlife Federation, The Audubon Society of North Carolina, VIA Hospice Care of Charlotte NC or the Matthews Help Center.

Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www.kennethpoeservices.com.