Michele Shinko, 66, of Middletown, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by love after a long and courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was born Sept. 11, 1959, in East Orange Hospital. She lived in Middletown her entire life.
Michele was a graduate of Middletown High School North and Charles E. Gregory School of Nursing. She was a dedicated nurse for over 40 years. She began her career at Raritan Bay Medical Center and retired after many years at Monmouth Pediatrics of Red Bank.
When Michele wasn’t crafting, her favorite things were shopping, traveling and working in her garden. She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church for over 64 years and was a member of the church choir. She also served as Eucharistic Minister of both the church and St. Mary’s Chapel. Michele was chair of the Sunshine Committee of the Catholic Daughters of America.
Michele was predeceased by her parents, Michael and Beverly Shinko, her brother Jeffery Shinko and her uncle Jimmy Kersikofski.
Michele leaves behind her best friend, Debbie Vincent, who took care of her and made sure her final days were filled with grace. She also leaves behind her dearest friends, James McCarthy and Quentin Van Buren; Stan and Mary Lou Smith; Steven and Rosemary Smith, and sweet baby Rosie; and her aunt Suzanne Kersikofski, along with so many others whom Michele had a deep impact on.
The family wished to thank Michele’s medical team at RCCA, specifically, Dr. Richard Scher and her primary care physician, Dr. Giancona.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered March 26 at St. Mary’s Church, Middletown. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery in Drums, Pennsylvania.
In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in Michele’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Hospital at stjude.org.
The article originally appeared in the May 7 – 13, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
