Wednesday, November 16 | 11:00 AM

Surrounded by adoring children and grandchildren, Marion Dolores Short peacefully entered Eternal Life on November 5, 2022.

She was born on August 28, 1924, in New York City, the daughter of John and Helena McCann. 

Mrs. Short was the devoted wife of Minneapolis businessman Robert E. Short, who predeceased her.  They met during World War II at a Tea Dance for Officers of the United States Navy.  On September 27, 1947, Mr. and Mrs. Short were married at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in New York City.

Mrs. Short is survived by her seven children, Robert Short of Edina, Brian Short (Kathleen) of St. Paul, Marianne Short (Ray Skowyra) of St. Paul, Kevin Short of Mahtomedi, Elizabeth Short (Dr. Jon Floriano) of University Heights, Ohio, Carolyn Short (Joseph Torsella) of Flourtown, PA, and Colleen Short Lucke (Stephen) of Edina.

She was the loving Grandmother to 21 grandchildren--Kathryn (Sam), Robert (Mary Rose), Michael (Morgan), Louis (Carolyn), Nicholas (Alexa), Meghan (Robert), Caitlin, Maura (Joseph), Anna, Emily, Daniel, Jessica, Maureen (Tom), Elizabeth, Travis (Camille), Kelly (Quinn), Joey, Gracie, Patrick, Paul, and John, and 13 great grandchildren—Rory, Grace, Loretta Marion, Teddy, Skip, Rosey, Hannah, William, Charlotte, J.J., Elise Marion, Logan, and Reid.  She will also be deeply missed by her New York nieces and nephews, especially Susan Dougherty and Anne Matarazzo.

In addition to her husband, Mrs. Short was predeceased by her cherished brother and sisters, Catherine Ingram (David), John McCann (Grace), Helena Gelderman (Edward), and Josephine Buzzallino (Angelo), her nephew and godson Paul Buzzallino, and her beloved niece Joan Buzzallino.   

The youngest daughter of Irish immigrants, Mrs. Short grew up blocks from Central Park in New York City.  Her parents entered Ellis Island alone as teenagers, and, by the Grace of God, found each other. They taught their children to pursue lives of purpose and distinction. 

Mrs. Short graduated from The College of Mount St. Vincent in 1945, with a degree in English and a minor in Art History.  Following their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Short lived in Washington, D.C., where Mr. Short served as an Assistant United States Attorney. 

Soon thereafter, they moved to Mr. Short’s home state of Minnesota.  Bereft of her Irish clan and unaccustomed to subzero temperatures, Mrs. Short famously wondered what had become of her life, but with a gentle nudge from her mother, persevered and prospered.

While Mr. Short forged a career in business, Mrs. Short settled into the rhythms and demands of raising their seven children.

Mrs. Short was actively involved in her husband’s campaign in 1966 as the Democratic Party’s nominee for Lieutenant Governor, and in 1978 in his bid for the United States Senate.  She supported his purchase of the Minneapolis Lakers, which he moved to Los Angeles, and the Washington Senators, which became the Texas Rangers. 

Following Mr. Short’s death in 1982, Mrs. Short served for many years as President of the business he founded.  While proud of the company’s growth and success in banking, trucking, and real estate enterprises, she most enjoyed her personal, daily interactions with the employees whom she so appreciated and respected. 

Most of all, Mrs. Short cherished time with her family.  She hosted 64 consecutive Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners.  During these festivities, her grandchildren enjoyed the chance to race through her house and explore the hidden treasures of her walk-in attic.  Observing her “labors of love” and the “countless times” she babysat, grandson Patrick described her in a school essay as “the perfect image of selfless service.” 

Active in her community and children’s schools, Mrs. Short served on the Minneapolis Human Rights Commission, the St. Thomas Academy Mother’s Board, the University of Notre Dame Women’s Advisory Council, and the University of St. Thomas Board of Trustees.  The University of Notre Dame School of Law and the University of St. Thomas School of Law have designated faculty chairs in honor of Mrs. Short and her husband. 

Mrs. Short will be remembered for her elegance, grace and bearing, as well as her Irish sensibility. She recalled: “The nuns were dedicated to our perfection, especially in terms of how we spoke and how we presented ourselves, lest we give the world reason to look down upon the Irish.”

She had a talent for finding the perfect word—often in a decidedly Irish way.  She was an uncanny arbiter of good taste, fashion, and aesthetics.  She saw God’s hand in most things, and encouraged prayer and rosaries in the face of adversity.

Always devoted to her family, there was never a day when her children and grandchildren weren’t top of her mind.  She will be greatly missed. 

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, November 15, from 4:00PM to 8:00PM, at Gill Brothers Funeral Home, 5801 Lyndale Avenue, Minneapolis, and on Wednesday, November 16, from 10:00AM to 11:00AM, at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5071 Eden Avenue, Edina.  Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated immediately following at 11:00AM.   Private interment will take place at Resurrection Cemetery. 

If desired, Memorials may be directed to Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church or The University of St. Thomas.