In the early days of 1998, Sheryl Sheppard disappeared without a trace.

But who was she, really?

A big-hearted person who loved children?

A woman with a temper?

Much more than just another face on a missing person's flyer, Sheryl was a daughter, a co-worker, a friend.

Christina Cowley worked with Sheryl at Tim Hortons. (David Ridgen)

Christina Cowley used to work the night shift with Sheryl at the Tim Hortons on the corner of Cannon and Sanford in Hamilton.

While preparing the next day's donuts, they'd chat about life, Sheryl's health issues and her past.

They also used to talk about Sheryl's boyfriend, Michael Lavoie.

Michael proposed to Sheryl at a New Year's Eve party and was the last known person to see her before she went missing.

According to Christina, Michael used to wait around the Tim Hortons so much that it made the other employees uncomfortable.

Sheryl Sheppard was a donut decorator at this Hamilton Tim Hortons coffee shop. (David Ridgen)

Sheryl was married twice before her engagement to Michael Lavoie.

First, to a man named Keith Dale, and then to a man named Brian Sweeney.

Both men were close friends of Michael Lavoie.

Sheryl officially divorced Brian just seven months before she went missing.

Clyde Phillips was a close friend of Sheryl Sheppard. (David Ridgen)

Clyde was a good friend of Sheryl's.

In fact, they used to be romantically involved.

He describes her as a young woman who was exceedingly kind.

Someone he should've married when he had the chance.

Betty Yurgan's chihuahua, Chester (David Ridgen)

Betty Yurgan knew Sheryl and helped in the search after her disappearance.

She also knew Sheryl's ex-husband Keeper well, and was friends with both Sheryl and her second husband Brian.

According to Betty, the group hung around a rough crowd.

It's difficult to find anyone who used to know Sheryl Sheppard well who didn't remember her fondly, describing her as a fundamentally good person.

But Sheryl's life may have held some secrets that even her mother Odette knew nothing about.