Cynthia Shepherd Henrich

Cynthia Henrich ObituaryObituary published on Legacy.com by Shepherd Funeral & Cremation Service on Mar. 17, 2026.Cynthia Shepherd Henrich April 5, 1947 – March 12, 2026 Cynthia Shepherd Henrich of Mashpee, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully on March 12, 2026. She was 78 years old.Born on April 5, 1947, in Pembroke, Massachusetts, Cynthia spent her childhood on the South Shore and maintained deep ties to the region throughout her life. She attended Pembroke Elementary School and graduated from Thayer Academy in 1965. She later studied at Bradford College and earned a Master's degree in Color and Design from Goddard College between 1976 and 1978. In 2015, she completed a Certificate in Spiritual Formation, reflecting her lifelong commitment to faith and spiritual exploration.Cynthia lived in many places over the course of her life, including Pembroke, New York City, Switzerland, Falmouth, East Bridgewater, Marshfield, Manchester-by-the-Sea, Essex, Plymouth, Sandwich, Lebanon, Connecticut, and most recently Mashpee. Her life was marked by curiosity, creativity, and a love of travel and discovery.An accomplished artisan, Cynthia was known for her skill in calligraphy and design. She also worked as an assistant to an antique dealer in New York City and spent time as a historian with the Mayflower Society. She traveled widely abroad as a young woman and pursued many intellectual and spiritual interests throughout her life.Her spiritual journey was a central part of her life. Together with Rev. Peter Lanzillotta, PhD, Cynthia explored many religious traditions, including Eastern philosophies such as Vedanta. Over time she embraced a progressive Episcopal path that led her to become a Franciscan sister in the Anglican tradition, taking the name Sister Hildegard Claire, OSF. In recent years she was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church in Sandwich, where she remained deeply engaged in spiritual life and service.Cynthia was also involved in guiding young Franciscan students, participating in online prison chaplaincy, and supporting religious education. Those who knew her remember her as a spiritual adventurer-curious, thoughtful, and deeply compassionate.She loved the outdoors and made a daily practice of walking and exploring wherever she lived. The beaches of the South Shore, the North Shore, and Cape Cod held a special place in her heart, particularly Duxbury Beach.Cynthia also cherished the companionship of Standard Poodles throughout her life, including her beloved dog Dorothea. Cynthia was previously married to Rev. Peter Lanzillotta, PhD from 1974 to 1998 and later shared a long partnership with Paul Nordling from 2000 until 2018.She is survived by her nephew Bradford Simmons of Mashpee, Massachusetts; her niece Marsha (Simmons) Moynihan and her husband Steven Moynihan of Sagamore Beach, Massachusetts; her great-nephew Andrew Simmons and his wife Mandy Simmons of Asheville, North Carolina; and her great-niece Heather (Simmons) Baker and her husband Jamie Baker of Colchester, England. She is also survived by close cousins Linda Corson and Rebecca Ripka, Rev. Peter Lanzillotta, PhD of Charleston, South Carolina, and many Henrich and Shepherd cousins across Pembroke and the greater South Shore of Massachusetts.A virtual memorial service for family and friends will be held in the spring. A Celebration of Life is planned for July at St. John's Episcopal Church in Sandwich, followed by a gathering at Duxbury Beach, one of Cynthia's favorite places. For information regarding services, please contact Marsha Moynihan at [email protected] .In lieu of flowers, donations in Cynthia's memory may be made to: St. John's Episcopal Church, Sandwich MA Vedanta Centre, Cohasset MA Poodle Rescue of New England Cape Cod Art Center A nature sanctuary of the donor's choiceTo plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.