Stephanie (Shelly) Michelle Whidden, a respected attorney and beloved community member, passed away on November 30, 2025. Born on October 5, 1959, in Oakland, California, she was a guiding light for her family and a dedicated professional who left a lasting impact on those around her.
Raised in a nurturing environment by her parents, Stephen and Marie Whidden, Shelly was the eldest sibling to her brother Scott and sister Shauna. She excelled throughout her education, graduating from Berkeley High School where she served as the managing editor of the award-winning Jackets newspaper. Her athletic pursuits included competing in all-city tennis and swimming tournaments.
Shelly’s academic journey continued at the University of California, Berkeley, where she earned her undergraduate degree. During her junior year, she broadened her horizons by studying at the University of Poitiers in France, igniting a passion for travel that would define her life. Inspired by her grandfather, Earl M. Ripley, a prominent lawyer in San Francisco, she pursued a career in law. She graduated early from both high school and college before entering law school at the University of San Francisco.
To support herself, Shelly worked as an ice cream maker at the renowned Botts Ice Cream in Berkeley, where her unique compensation came in the form of payment by the gallon. After completing her legal education, she gained valuable experience at various law firms in San Francisco before a skiing accident during a trip to the Catskill Mountains led her to the Hudson Valley. While recovering, she decided to take the New York State Bar exam, ultimately falling in love with the area.
Shelly established her law practice in historic uptown Kingston, New York, where she became a trusted lawyer, advisor, and friend for decades. A member of both the California and New York Bar Associations, she was appointed by the New York State Appellate Court to oversee guardianships in Ulster County. Known for her tenacity and ability to unravel complex legal matters, she focused on real estate and estate cases, taking on challenging cases referred to her by other attorneys.
Outside her professional life, Shelly was deeply connected to nature. She spent her free time running, cycling, hiking, and gardening, often alongside her husband, Mitchell Cohen, and their beloved Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Together, they cultivated expansive gardens around their home near the Ashokan Reservoir, creating a sanctuary filled with the beauty of the outdoors.
Survived by her husband, her mother, Carol Marie Whidden, and her siblings, Gregory Scott Whidden and Shauna Marie Whidden, Shelly also leaves behind cherished nephews and great-nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, J.R. Whiteagle, and her brother, Stephen Huse Whidden. Her family describes her as a “True North,” a guiding presence whose unwavering commitment and love touched many lives.
A Celebration of Life is planned for February in New York and March in California, with her ashes set to be interred at Mountain View Cemetery in Oakland. In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions in Shelly’s memory be made to the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York, supporting vital cancer research and treatment.
For those wishing to share memories or condolences, a tribute can be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com. Shelly’s legacy of kindness, compassion, and brilliance will continue to inspire those who knew her.
