A passionate life of business, athletics and compassion.

Caron (née Hyland) Shepley discovered her passions in life through running. Running Senior Cross-Country for KCSS, Caron was part of a team that won the championship in her senior year. Her husband, Barrie Shepley, best described her as “quiet, non-flashy, yet leaving a massive footprint on the world”. In following the passions she discovered at KCSS, Caron did just that, literally and figuratively.

In addition to running Cross Country (along with many other sports) Caron distinguished herself academically at KCSS. She was an Ontario scholar, and recipient of a scholarship to study and later earn a Major in Physical Education at McMaster University, where she also ran for the Varsity Cross Country team. Caron excelled and thrived throughout her post-secondary years, academically and competitively.

Following university, Caron entered the Fitness and Wellness field. She met the love of her life while doing what most fulfilled her. Moving to Caledon to run Husky Injections’ Wellness Centre, Caron connected with Barrie Shepley; she originally met Barrie at McMaster where he coached triathlon. They married, and formed their own Fitness and Wellness business, Personal Best (PB) with friend Sheldon Persad. As the Director of Corporate Programs, Caron “became the driving force of the company for thirty-plus years.” She made work-life balance achievable, overseeing programs for General Motors, Hewlett Packard, and Manulife. She modelled and fostered the belief that physical and mental/spiritual wellness could and should be integral to strong work/life success.

Caron’s passions expanded in new and exciting areas. She excelled at any endeavour she put her mind to, namely, triathlon, yoga, and paddle boarding. Mentoring women to aim high, she ran her talk, participating in 10 Ironman Races (2.4 m swim, 112 m cycle; 26.2 m run). She competed in triathlons at the world level, winning a silver medal at the Nice World Championship in 1998. In yoga, Caron also excelled, earning her certification to teach. She encouraged people regardless of their fitness level to embrace the benefits of wellness, and taught hundreds of women and men advanced yoga skills; many of them became instructors. For those farther afield she offered classes on DVD, then YouTube. Her infectious energy continues to live virtually in these mediums.

Closer to home, Caron combined her passion for running with her love of animals. She was the impetus behind and founder of Furry Friends 5K. Her commitment to this venture raised $835,000 in support of animal rescue operations across the GTA. Fund-raising in her name continues; in 2024, contributions to this event exceeded the $1,000,000 mark!

A devoted daughter, sister, and wife, Caron helped her twin, Jillian, support their mother, Alice Hyland, as well as offering care to a wide circle of friends. She was seen by KCSS Class of ’86 as the glue that kept them connected. Caron joins her sister Jillian (Hyland) Bishop as an inductee to the Case of Distinction, although sadly, posthumously. Her life’s passionate journey came to an end following a challenge with cancer in September of 2023, at the age of 56..

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