Kathleen Ellen Shiner

Kathleen Ellen Shiner, 86, of Estero, FL, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 22, 2025, after a year-long battle with cancer. Born on November 12, 1938, in Detroit, Michigan, Kathleen was the beloved daughter of Norman and Rozella (née Reaume) Fohey. A proud Detroit native, she grew up as a parishioner of Assumption Grotto, where she also attended grade school and later worked in the parish office. She graduated from Pershing High School and began her professional journey at Fisher Body in the GM Tech Center—where fate intervened and she met her future husband Richard through his brother Robert, who played matchmaker. Kathy and Richard married on September 5, 1959, beginning a beautiful 65-year journey together. Kathleen’s life was filled with passion, grace, and determination. A gifted athlete, she enjoyed basketball, tennis, racquetball, cross-country skiing, and especially golf. She was the women’s champion at both Pelican Sound Country Club in Florida and Berkshire Hills Country Club in Pittsfield, MA. Beyond competition, she was a community builder—starting lending libraries and Ladies Invitational Golf Tournaments at both clubs. Her adventurous spirit led her and Richard across the country due to his work in submarine electronics, living in places like Portsmouth, NH; Vallejo, CA; and Bremerton, WA, before finally settling back in Pittsfield. There, she became the office manager for Shearson Stock Broker Company and made history as the first woman to become a licensed broker in her office. Kathleen was also a lifelong singer with a rich alto voice and a love for the arts. She performed in musicals, stage plays, and operettas at Pittsfield Community College, sang with classical groups, and was a cherished member of her church choir. She was instrumental in nurturing young talent, helping to establish the Young Singers Scholarship Program in Pittsfield and later founding a similar initiative in Florida through the Fort Myers Mastersingers. She is survived by her devoted husband of 65 years, Richard Shiner of Estero, FL; four sons: Mark C. Shiner (Carolyn) of Cape Coral, FL, Michael J. Shiner (Jocelyne) of Gainesville, GA, James R. Shiner (Nancy) of Seattle, WA, and Eric Shiner (Sarah) of Pittsfield, MA; three grandchildren: Tarryn Shiner, Benjamin Shiner, and Dane Shiner; ten step-grandchildren, nineteen step great-grandchildren, and two step-great-great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Mike Fohey and Dennis Fohey. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 7775 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples, FL 34120. Inurnment will follow in the memorial garden. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that memorial contributions in memory of Kathleen be made to Hope Hospice, 9470 HealthPark Circle, Fort Myers, FL 33908, or online at hopehospice.org, or to the American Cancer Society, 4575 Via Royale, Fort Myers, FL 33919, or online at cancer.org. To sign her guest register or leave condolences, please visit www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com. Arrangements are being handled by Shikany's Bonita Funeral Home – Family Owned and Operated Since 1978.

Kathleen Ellen Shiner

November 12, 1938 - April 22, 2025