After a long and valiant battle with cancer, Melissa Marie Shearer (née Keehan), cherished wife, sister, daughter and friend, died peacefully at home on August 2, 2022, in Scottsdale, Arizona.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Robert (Bob) J. Shearer, with whom she shared thirty wonderful years of marriage and adventure, and by their sweet miniature Schnauzers, Ranger and Scout. She also leaves behind her dear sister Kathleen Koch and brother-in-law Ken, as well as brothers Jay, Jim, Tom and Kevin Keehan, along with ten nieces and nephews whom she adored.

Melissa was born in Chicago on November 4,1950, to parents John (Jack) and Arlene Keehan. Following a brief stay in Key West, the family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she discovered an early passion for riding and showing horses. After attending The Ohio State University, Melissa gained an international reputation as an equine photographer, combining her design talent with her love of horses. Later, her pioneering entrepreneurial spirit led her to open a successful art gallery and framing atelier.

But among her many career accomplishments, Melissa would tell everyone that her favorite role was as Vice President of Communications at Shearer Foods, where she and Bob worked together with a team of 3,500 colleagues until 2012, when the company was acquired. Melissa deeply valued her Shearer Foods family and especially enjoyed encouraging and mentoring young women in the workplace.

Bob and Melissa met at a horse show in Adrian, Michigan in 1983, and they continued their shared passion throughout their life together, raising and showing champion American Quarter and Paint Horses. Melissa’s devotion to animals also extended to raising prize-winning miniature Schnauzers, one of whom was presented at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show.

Melissa loved design in all its forms, but in her free time she delighted in imagining and creating beautiful spaces, including the homes she and Bob shared in Bonita Springs, Florida; Canton, Ohio; and Scottsdale, Arizona. Friends in Arbor Strand, Florida describes Melissa as “The Design Eye and Decorator” of their community.

Community was everything to Melissa, and her Catholic faith was a source of strength and inspiration. Whether serving on the board of directors at various museums, hospitals and hospice organizations, hosting charity golf outings and curating beautiful parties to benefit local causes, or just being the first person to offer help to a friend in need, she lived her values fully and joyfully.

Most dear to her was the work Bill and Marcia Shearer have done in developing Whispering Grace Horses/Freedom Farm, a faith-based equine therapy program that offers charitable healing to those in need through the power of connection with these magnificent animals. She was honored to be a part of the advisory board for such a life-changing organization.

In addition to horseback riding and traveling with Bob, Melissa treasured time spent with her many dear friends. Always active, she played tennis, golf and pickleball. All those who love her know that she lived every single day to the fullest, and packed each adventure, big or small, with her inimitable grace, humor, energy and excitement.

“All things bright and beautiful

All creatures great and small

All things wise and wonderful

The Lord God made them all”

~Cecil Francis Alexander