Upon first approaching Marilyn Sheprow’s apartment, one might muse, understandably, “I’ve a feeling I’m not in Kansas anymore.”
The surrounding air is faintly scented by fresh flowers, and a tiny dish of nuts rests alongside a crystal decanter of sherry – offerings to the nearby statuette of Buddha and also to passing neighbors.
The hall window alcove embraces a long — yet only 10-inches high — Japanese student’s desk, several Chinese containers and a curved sculpture displaying chunky, natural-form pottery pieces.
Upon peeking inside the open door, one is immediately transfixed by a very realistic-looking fireplace, replete with warm glowing embers and dancing flames.
Relaxing within the inviting abode, Marilyn is surrounded by an array of favorite pieces from her vast personal art collection. Most certainly, the dominant piece is a massive work by famed pop artist Roy Lichstenstein, which hangs opposite a warm, earth-toned piece by Robert Motherwell.
Marilyn appreciates art for its aesthetic appeal, but also as “a good investment.”
“It doesn’t go up and down like money, and it never goes out of style,” she said, matter-of-factly.
Marilyn’s knowledge and appreciation of art were certainly nurtured through extensive travel with David, her husband of 70 years. An internationally renowned pioneer in the field of microvascular research, David lectured around the globe.
Occasionally, David’s work entailed lengthy stays in foreign countries, where he was invited to lecture and conduct important research at major hospitals and universities.
Marilyn made good use of her time abroad by visiting museums, art auctions and even polishing her cooking skills.
“In England, I studied for eight months at Le Cordon Bleu [London Culinary School],” she said.
Marilyn and David met as students at Clark University, in Worcester, and resided in Boston for many years. He was an esteemed professor at Boston University, becoming academic dean of its medical school.
His groundbreaking research was important in understanding diabetic eye disease, wound healing, and dementia.
The Sheprows summered in Woods Hole for many years, and eventually moved there in 2004 upon David’s retirement.
The couple raised two children, including Douglas, of Falmouth, and Lisa, who resides in Maine.
Marilyn described Douglas as “the yin of David’s yang,” while Lisa seems to take after her mother, who is self-admittedly “outspoken.”
“If it’s on Lisa’s mind, it’s on her tongue!” Marilyn said, smiling. “She has no filter – like me!”
“I guess I must have been ‘mother of the year’,” Marilyn added, with a grin, “because neither of them has children.”
While she has no grandchildren, Marilyn acknowledged that Douglas “couldn’t have given me anything better than Stephanie, as a daughter-in-law.”
When David passed away in 2018, “my world kind of fell apart,” Marilyn recalled. “I didn’t function the best, didn’t make good decisions and lost my intellect for a year and a half.”
She wisely reached out for help, and began seeing a therapist.
“I chose well and got my intellect back,” she said. “But when I regained it, I found I had this lousy case of arthritis!”
As her condition worsened, Marilyn recalls, she became reliant on outside assistance, and hers became “a turnstile life of people in and out of the house.”
Marilyn decided to move to assisted living, and is very happy that she chose Decatur House as her new home.
“I’ve had many homemakers, housekeepers and other help, but I’ve never known such wonderful kindness and care as I’ve found here,” she said, smiling warmly.
As she waited for Douglas to take her shopping, Marilyn gazed around her apartment, and smiled contentedly.
“In the long run, I’ve had a wonderful, spectacular lifestyle,” she said.
Then she laughed, as if suddenly amused, and added, “Pretty good for a farm girl who used to ride in a hay wagon!”
