SHIRLEY FORTINSKY

It is with great sadness and a feeling of profound loss that we mourn the passing of Shirley (Rabinowitz) Fortinsky on Feb. 17, 2017.

A devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Shirley was as well an integral and valued member of our community. Beautiful, funny, unbelievably stylish, smart, energetic, loyal and committed, Shirley left an indelible mark on every institution and on every life she touched. Generous to a fault, she and her late husband, Bob, gave back to this community infinite gifts of time, devotion, volunteerism and financial support. Her kindness and wisdom helped so many people and her community activism extended to a myriad of projects to which she lent her expertise. Everyone knew and loved Shirley. When she walked into a room with her beautiful clothes, her sunny smile and a bounce to her step, she cast a ray of sunshine everywhere.

Shirley was involved in so many projects and served on so many boards that time constraints only allow a small window into her tireless efforts to better this valley. Some of her board affiliations are listed below, Association of the Blind, Family Service Center, Domestic Violence Service Center, F.M. Kirby Center founding board, and along with her husband, was a Temple Israel Pillars of the Community. Shirley was a pink lady at the general hospital, she read to the blind and delivered Meals on Wheels.

Shirley was awarded many honors, among them the Jewish Federation distinguished service award, honorary alumna of Penn State University, (an avid Penn State fan, she often served as an unofficial cheerleader at all the football games which she always attended), and as well, she was an avid exercise fanatic!
Born in Wilkes-Barre, she was the daughter of the late Jacob and Ida Rabinowitz, a graduate of Meyers High School, a life member of Temple Israel, and a member in perpetuity of the Jewish Community Center.
She was preceded in death, in addition to her parents, by her beloved husband of 63 years, Robert.

She is survived by her daughters, Judy (Jeffrey) Null and Jill Schwartz (David Brown); sister, Sylvia (Michael) Schwartz; brother, William (Diane) Rabinowitz; seven grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren.

The family would like to extend their deep gratitude to her beloved Dorothy and her devoted caretakers Titi, Kenia, Mimi and Helen, and also to Erwine Home Health and Hospice.

A graveside funeral will be conducted at noon on Monday, Feb. 20, 2017, in Temple Israel Cemetery, Denison Street, Swoyersville.

Shiva will be observed from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, and 2 to 4 p.m. 0n Wednesday at the family home, 312 Stanley Drive, Kingston.

Arrangements are being made by Rosenberg Funeral Chapel.

All of us have suffered a great loss upon the passing of this incredible woman. Her memory will last forever and will be an inspiration to all those whose lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association , Association for the Blind, or a charity of the donor's choice

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