11/13/2025
Shirley Short passed away peacefully on November 13 at the age of 91. Shirley was born in Georgetown, DE to parents Harry A. Joseph and Ella Mae. She was the last surviving of her five siblings: Hilda Pettyjohn, Janie Smith, Thelma Corso, Melvin Joseph and Loretta Bunting.
While still in high school, Shirley met and married the forever love of her life James E. (Jim) Short. After graduating, Shirley moved to Hawaii to join her husband while he served out his enlistment in the U.S. Navy. The couple moved back to Delaware and soon after welcomed son Jay followed by son Jeffrey.
Shirley was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word and supported Jim with love over his lengthy career that took the family to Hagerstown, Baltimore, Milford, York, Hanover, and lastly Lancaster. She liked to stay busy and had a few different careers including school bus driver, retail sales, and for several years she worked as a nursing assistant.
Shirley loved gardening, decorating her home, listening to music, and traveling to Leisure Point, DE but most of all she enjoyed keeping up with and being with her growing family.
She was blessed to have had 65 years of marriage with husband Jim who passed away in 2016. Shirley is survived by sons James E. (Jay) Short II and wife Sharon, of Cary, NC and Jeffrey K. Short and wife Sarah of Millersville, PA. In addition, she is survived by grandsons Benjamin Short of Pflugerville, TX, Jeremy Short of Willow Spring, NC, Daniel Short of Lancaster, PA, Stephen Short of Millersville, PA, and great grandchildren Gemma Short and CJ Short of Willow Spring, NC, Ella Short of Pflugerville, TX, Georgina Short of Lancaster, PA, and Weston Short of Millersville, PA.
The family would like to share a heartfelt thanks to the staff of Cedar House at Landis Homes for the exceptional care and love extended to Shirley in the last 8 months. Donations can be made in Shirley’s honor to: the Landis Homes Caring Fund, 1001 E. Oregon Road, Lititz, PA.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family.