Mary Lynne Short
May 20, 1938 - January 28, 2018
Obituary
Mary Lynne Short
Beloved sister, wife, mother and grandmother, Mary Lynne Short was born on May 22, 1938 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Arna Berseng Wood and Jack L. Wood. Her father worked for Northwest Airlines, which sent the family to Japan towards the end of the United States occupation of that country. Her sister Pam was born in Japan and both learned Japanese as children. They stayed until Mary Lynne’s senior year when they returned to the US and settled in West Seattle for her senior year. This experience had a profound impact on her as she learned at an early age the cost of war and that peace and understanding where what really mattered.
Mary Lynne attended Nursing School at the University of Washington. Mary Lynne was destined to be a nurse and her mom and aunts spoke frequently of how she nursed, cared for and bandaged almost any doll, animal, or person from a young age. While in nursing school, she met her husband Denis Stafford Short who was in medical school. They married on June 17, 1960 in Seattle, Washington and began their life together by moving to Richmond, Virginia so Denis could complete his residency. They had three children; son Patrick Michael born in Richmond and their twin daughters Mary Beth and Laurie Lynne born in El Paso, Texas.
After several moves around the United States, the family returned to Washington in 1974, where Mary Lynne’s career in geriatric nursing began. She became a Director of Nursing, Administrator, and consultant and started the first hospital based skilled nursing facility in Washington. She was greatly respected by doctors, families, patients, owners, and state surveyors and several geriatric associations. She also was a member of American Association of University Woman and cared deeply about the education of girls so they could reach all their potential as well as a member of the Order of Eastern Star where she also encouraged girls in the International Order of Rainbow for Girls. Later in life, Mary Lynne joined Daughters of the Norway and the Red Hat Society.
On Sunday, January 28, 2017, after a brief battle with pneumonia, Mary Lynne passed away leaving her husband Denis, son Mike and wife Crystal, daughters Laurie and Mary Beth, and two grandchildren Spencer Webb and Elizabeth Short, her sister Pam LaBrie (Buster) and their nephews Brandon, Ryan and her mother’s step-daughter Judy Hively as well as many other nieces and nephews and cousins from the Bergseng, Broman and Short family. Her laughter, humming and joyous attitude have left this world though stays in our hearts and Heaven is all the brighter for our loss.
A Memorial Service for Mary Lynne will be held on Saturday, February 3, 2018 at 1:00PM at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church, 19030 8th Ave S., SeaTac, WA 98148.
Memorials may be made to the American Association of University Women Foundation and the UW Nursing School scholarship fund.
Sending prayers your way for healing hearts. My thoughts are with you all!
I am so sorry for your loss, what a remarkable woman, thank you for sharing her story.
What a beautiful tribute to an amazing human being!! The heritage she lived and the legacy she leaves will inspire and bless the countless lives she touched.
So sorry for your loss.
My deepest condolences in the greatest loss in your family. May God provide you all with His love and comfort at this time
What a truly amazing. Wonderful lady, Love hearing women who where Trail Blazers for us women, her two beautiful daughters are proof in the pudding, achieving their goals. God bliss the Short family. PAULINE Fuentes
Rest in peace. We’ll miss you. Star Love. I’m so sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing her story.
Sorry for your your lost.