Marion Short Funeral

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.

Cynthia McGarvey Funeral

Saturday, November 5 | 11:00 AM

Cynthia McGarvey passed away peacefully at home, age 90, on October 27, 2022.

The daughter of Elmer and Margaret Gray, she was born in St. Paul on July 26, 1932. Cynthia grew up in Highland Park and graduated from St. Joseph's Academy, where she was popular with all. She was named Miss Judy O'Rule as a sophomore which granted her a chaperoned sightseeing trip to New York City. She hosted her own radio show, "Time for Teens" and was homecoming queen at several private boys' schools. Active in the St. Paul Winter Carnival she was crowned Snow Princess in 1950. She married Robert McGarvey Jr. in 1953 and they shared many happy years in Edina, Naples, Florida, and at the Gull Lake cabin, until Bob's death in 2001. She modeled the latest clothes in countless fashion shows, was a member of the Minneapolis Women's Club, and perfected the art of the dinner party. Cynthia had a wide circle of friends, playing tennis and bridge, and taking part in two investment clubs. She enjoyed volunteering in the Edina Public Schools, teaching CCD at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, and had a fabulous eye for interior design focusing on color and space.

Our mother was a kind, caring and giving person who always put the needs of her family before her own. She was a strong woman who faced every challenge in life with courage and dignity. She instilled in us the importance of family, hard work and doing what is right. She will always be in our hearts with many happy memories and will be deeply missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Elmer and Margaret Gray, her sister Judy, and loving husband, Robert McGarvey Jr. She is survived by her son, Scott R. McGarvey (Tammy), Susan McGarvey Latta (Rob) and Laurie McGarvey Jordahl (Mark); eight grandchildren, Ryan (Caitlin), Kristen and Robbie Latta, Kelly, Casey and Matty McGarvey and Andy and Scott Jordahl, and one great grandson, Henry Latta. Special heartfelt thanks to "Becky's Angels" for taking such incredible care of Mom these last few years.

The funeral service will be held at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church on November 5 at 11:00 a.m. with visitation one hour prior. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Catholic Charities of St. Paul and Minneapolis, or a charity of your choosing.

Kathryn Press Funeral

Friday, October 28 | 10:30 AM

Dr. Kathryn L. "Kay" Press, 68, of Granger, Indiana, passed away peacefully Oct. 19, 2022. She was preceded in death by parents; two brothers; beloved horses, Melissa, Debutante and Penelope; as well as loving dogs. She is survived by son, Carl Brecht; daughter, Carrie (Jeff) Sweetser; grandchildren, Siena and Miles; and dog Isabella.

Kay was an otolaryngologist and loved to tell stories of all the people she helped. She received her medical degree from Wake Forest University of Medicine and did her residency at the University of Chicago. Prior to her retirement in 2016 she spent her career at the Elkhart Clinic and Elkhart Hospital. She was a devoted dog owner and an avid equestrian. She loved her animals, children, and grandchildren deeply and will be missed.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:30 a.m. Friday, Oct. 28, with visitation beginning at 9:30 a.m. at The Church of Our Lady of Grace, 5071 Eden Avenue South, Edina. Interment will be at Lakewood Cemetery, Minneapolis. A celebration of Kay's life will also be held in Indiana in the spring/summer 2023.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

You may make a donation in her name to Our Lady of Grace Church through the link below.

Alice LeClair Funeral

Friday, October 21 | 10:30 AM

September 22, 1920 — October 2, 2022 Preceded in death by parents, Frank and Christina Yamry; husband, Emmett; six brothers; six sisters; and granddaughter Heather Evans. Survived by children, Tom (Cindy), Annette (Dave) Reimer; four grand children; eleven great-grandchildren; and many family and friends. Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am on Friday, October 21, 2022 at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5071 Eden Ave, Edina, MN 55436 with visitation at 9:30 am. Luncheon to follow Mass with burial at Resurrection Cemetery. Memorials preferred to: Sharing and Caring Hands.

John Patrick Sefton Funeral

John was born August 10, 1963, in Minneapolis and died on September 21, 2022, age 59. He was the youngest of 7 children of Robert and Kathleen Sefton.

John was born with Down Syndrome. He required full-time professional care and lived his entire life in special care facilities that were staffed by incredible caregivers who treated John with great love and respect. John loved to listen to music and was a prankster who enjoyed being a constant challenge to his beloved caregivers.

For many years, John lived at Gladson Home and spent his days at Workabilities, Inc., both in Golden Valley. Our family wishes to express our profound gratitude to the many individuals at both facilities who cared for John.

John faced many physical and intellectual challenges in his earthly life, but he has always been a special angel. 59 challenging years are but a moment compared to the eternity in heaven that has always awaited John.

John was preceded in death by his parents Robert and Kathleen Sefton. He is survived by his 6 siblings Peg Bjork (John), Steve (Claudia), Joe (Joan), Bob (Sylvia), Colleen Ghilani (Len) and Kathleen Overby (Bob) as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

The family will hold private services for John, and we will inter him alongside his parents at Fort Snelling National Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Workabilities, Inc. 7400 Laurel Ave. Golden Valley, MN 55426 or to an organization of the donor’s choice.

“Johnny, we hardly knew ye”

You can make a donation in John Patrick’s name to Our Lady of Grace through the link below.

Sue Shamla Funeral

Wednesday, October 12 | 11:00 AM

Our beloved wife, mother and sister, died September 23, 2022 at the age of 74 as the result of a tragic fall at home. Sue was born in Los Angeles, CA and attended high school at Bethlehem Academy in Faribault MN, where she grew up with her 3 sisters. She went on to graduate from St Mary's Nursing as a registered nurse. She was skilled, took pride in obstetrics, and was known as a compassionate nurse who was devoted to serving the needs of her patients. She worked at old St. Marys, Glencoe Public and Fairview Southdale Hospitals. The Shamla family enjoyed their cabin on Lake Minnie Belle for over 50 years. Sue and Ben enjoyed taking road trips around the United States and Canada, attending concerts at Orchestra Hall, and shows at the Guthrie Theater. She also traveled to Spain and recently to Jerusalem. Loyal and trustworthy, Sue was a giver all her life and could be counted on to join with others in making the world a better place.

Preceded in death by: parents William and Evelyn Routier, daughter Sarah, daughter-in-law Rebecca, sister Ann Routier, and brother-in-law John Shamla. Survived by: husband Bernard, son Nicolas, sisters Barbara Routier (Daniel Estrem) and Carol Jung, brother-in-law Charles Shamla, niece Elizabeth Friesen (Christan), nephews Richard Shamla (Heather) and Ryan Jung (Ivanna).

Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, 5071 Eden Ave, Edina, MN on October 12 at 11:00 AM. Visitation one hour prior to Mass. Private interment at Glencoe Catholic Cemetery. Memorial donations preferred to Catholic Charities, Twin Cities PBS or EWTN Catholic Television.

Donations may be made to Our Lady of Grace through the link below.

Rich Jones Funeral

Tuesday, October 11 | 10:30 AM

Jones, Richard C. Age 69 of Edina, MN. Preceded in death by parents Charles and Letitia Jones. Survived by brother and sister-in-law, Dave and DiAnn; nephews, Charles (Angela) and Andrew, and many cousins. Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, October 11, 2022 at 10:30 AM ~ The Church of Our Lady of Grace, 5071 Eden Ave, Edina, MN with visitation beginning at 10AM. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery.