Shirley Ann Spears Short

She was born in South Vernon, Vermont, on October 17, 1938, the daughter of Charles and Martha (Farnum) Spears, She was delivered at home by her Grandmother Lila Farnum, who was a midwife, since there was no Doctor readily available. He arrived after the birth was complete. She has resided in West Swanzey since 1941.

Mrs. Short was educated at the Cutler School in West Swanzey and went on to graduate from Keene High School.

She worked at the Homestead Woolen Mills in West Swanzey for twenty-eight years, then for fifteen years, until her retirement, with MPB, currently The TIMKEN Company, where she was employed as a Machine Operator.

Mrs. Short was a member of the West Swanzey Community Church, and was a long time member of the Scarlet Marauders Drum & Bugle Corps in west Swanzey, prior to the organization dissolving.

Survivors include: her sons: Kenneth L. Short, Jr. and his wife, Kelly, Patrick D. Short and Darren M. Short and his fiancée: Brenda Fawcette, all of West Swanzey; a brother: Joseph Spears and his wife, Pat, of Keene; thirteen grandchildren as well as eleven great grandchildren. She is also survived by a very close friend: Tonya LeCoure.

She was predeceased by her husband, of 51 years, Kenneth L. Short, Sr., two brothers: Francis Spears and Eugene Spears; as well as her two sisters: Dorothy LaBonte and Martha Stowell.

Graveside services will be held in the spring, at the family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery, in West Swanzey. At Mrs. Short’s request, there will be no public calling hours.

In lieu of flowers, it has also been requested, that memorial donations be made, in Mrs. Shirley A. Short’s name, to David’s House (www.davids-house.org), 461 Mt Support Rd, Lebanon, NH 03766.

Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services ( www.fletcherfuneralhome.com ), 33 Marlboro St., Keene has been entrusted with the arrangements.