Shirley Esther Fant's Obituary
Shirley Esther Fant, 91, of Boynton Beach, FL, passed away on February 17, 2026. She was preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband of 66 years, Sheldon "Shelly" Fant. She is survived by her daughters Robin Steiner and Jodi Toren (husband Robin Ader); and her son Alan Fant (wife Cathy, who Shirley always considered her third daughter). Shirley had six grandchildren whom she cherished: Ryan, Scott (Katee), and Marissa (Dan Anderson) Steiner; Brad (Jacqueline) Fant; Andrea (Devan) Buggay; and Eliana Toren. Shirley was also blessed with a beautiful great-granddaughter, Coraline Buggay.
Shirley was born an only child on June 27, 1934, in Cleveland, OH, to David and Gizella Friedman (of blessed memory). She graduated from Glenville High School and subsequently followed her future husband to Texas, Colorado, and Stuttgart, Germany, during his years in the U.S. Army.
Shirley and Shelly married in 1953 and shared the most beautiful and loving life together. They loved music of all genres, going to theater, traveling, and playing games of golf and tennis together. Shirley worked for over 30 years selling clothing at upscale boutiques in Cleveland and Florida. She was an avid canasta and mahjong player, and especially excelled in the word game Scrabble. She was named the 2011 Woman of Valor in the Florida Atlantic Region for her leadership role at Hadassah. She loved Israel, her Jewish faith, and most of all - her family.
Chapel services will be held on Friday, February 20, 2026, at 12pm at Beth Israel Memorial Chapel, 11115 Jog Road, Boynton Beach. Rabbi Michael Simon will be officiating. Shirley will be laid to rest next to her beloved husband at Eternal Light Memorial Gardens in Boynton Beach.
Contributions can be made in her loving memory to the following organizations by clicking the links below:
Hadassah Hospital
Pap Corps
Trustbridge Hospice
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