Melinda Vanessa Shina

Mindy (Melinda Vanessa) Shina passed away on July 4, 2019. She was born in Louisville, KY on December 18, 1963 to Dr. Hassi Shina and Mrs. Jo Sue ("JoJo") Shina and graduated from Ballard High School in 1981. From her early years, Mindy was curious, had a thirst for knowledge and being part of the action. She became the manager of the Ballard Tennis team and was an active member of the Jewish sorority, Amitié, throughout high school. Never shy of getting into trouble, Mindy could often be seen walking the halls of Ballard during normal class hours - but, if any authority would question her, she always found her way to a "hall pass."

From class 9, Mindy became enamored with the French language. She was forever speaking in French at home and with her friends. She learned about French cooking after savoring dishes from 5-star French restaurants and visiting Paris on her school trip. Given her tremendous talent for the language, she gained acceptance into the coveted Centre College in Kentucky, known for its foreign language program, where she placed into senior level French in her first year. Her family and friends will remember her birthday and holiday wishes always delivered in the musical language.

This love for the exotic would move on to shape Mindy's future. Early on, after getting an elite education at Grisanti's Catering, she became a founding partner of the highly acclaimed restaurant/bar The Fat Cats on Bardstown Road in Louisville, where she helped to shape the food and beverage menu and manage the musical talent and was an integral part of the leadership team. She later used her skills to join Silver Spoon where she wowed even famous VIP clients with her creativity, commitment, dedication and attention to detail. Mindy later decided to branch out on her own and started her own catering and events business, A Cut Above. She made a name for herself by delivering amazing ambience, food, drinks and music in the events she catered - large and small alike.

Mindy was an ardent music lover who was known for her loyalty to the bands she followed and to the Cherokee Triangle summer music in the park events. She was a life force, encouraging everyone - even those most shy - to get up and dance, sing and enjoy life to the fullest. She was also a staunch liberal with strong opinions and support for causes she cared about. She wrote letters and voiced her opinions to Senators and Congress alike. She became vegetarian at a young age, adopted gardening to grow her own vegetables which she would turn into the most amazing chopped salads, and learned composting to help the environment.

Anyone who really knew Mindy would describe her as kind, generous, humorous, and compassionate -- a person who was always there to help anyone in need. Her friends remember her as "Giant-hearted Mindy" and one "helluva girl" who always put the needs of others above her own. She danced to her own tune, created her own signature style and touched the lives of everyone who were fortunate to call her a friend. Her purpose seems to have been inclusiveness-she wanted everyone to feel welcome, included, and involved. Although the last few years were particularly hard for Mindy, she found her way to choosing herself to care for, and was volunteering and looking forward to, and planning, new adventures.

Left to honor her memory are her brother Dr. Mark Shina (Holly), her three sisters, Nadia Shina Ker (Richard) of CO, Lydia Shina and Rebekkah Kumar (Vinay) of India, as well as her six nieces and nephews, cousins, aunt, uncle and friends. She was deeply attached to her mother, who passed away earlier this month, and is preceded in death by her father, her brothers Eric and Scott, and her Aunt Violette.

Her family is holding a memorial service for Mindy on Friday, August 16th at 4pm (visitation at 3 pm), at Newcomer, Cremations, Funerals and Receptions, East Chapel, 235 Juneau Dr, Louisville, KY 40243. All friends are welcome and encouraged to come and share their stories. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in Mindy's name at WFPL Radio and The Healing Place of Louisville.

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