Outpour of love shown at Veronica Shoemaker’s memorial

FORT MYERS, Fla. – City leaders and residents showed an outpour of love and support at Veronica Shoemaker’s memorial, Friday night. Church leaders stressed they didn’t want the night to be a sad occasion but rather a celebration of her life and legacy.

“She was all about humanity,” says Rev. Dr. Rickey Anderson. “She was all about making things better for everybody else.”

“She had a good heart, she really did. Ain’t nothing nobody can say bad about her as you can see,” says Danette Green.

More than a hundred people packed the pews of Mount Olive AME Church, Friday night. Everyone from former Congressman Connie Mack, to Fort Myers Police Chief Dennis Eads and many people shoemaker served while on city council. She was the first African-American council member in city history.

For many, the memorial was their last chance for many to express just what she meant to them. Many said Shoemaker was like a mother to them and other’s described what she meant to the city, where she touched so many lives.

“She was a legend to the city and she will always be remembered,” says Fort Myers Interim City Manager Saeed Kazemi.

“We will never be able to replicate what she’s done. She has just created opportunities for so many people in this community and we’re all blessed to have been on this journey to know her,” says Lee County Tax Collector and former Fort Myers Police Chief Larry Hart.

“She has left a legacy for us to build upon,” says rev. Dr. Anderson.

Shoemaker’s funeral will be held Saturday, Jan. 30th at at noon, at the Harborside event center in downtown Fort Myers.