Beloved mother, grandmother, and friend

Passed away May 13, 2006. Born in Everett to parents Leo and Leone Hayden, Dorothy became a life-long resident of West Seattle. She dearly loved her family and nurtured home and hearth with great care and devotion. Dorothy and her husband, Howard, maintained a family business in West Seattle for over 40 years. She also spent many, many years in loving service to her church and its principles, from which sprang a deep, abiding faith and friendships that she treasured all of her life.

Dorothy's earliest experiences with the world began during the Great Depression, which helped to forge a spirit that approached the most difficult challenges with grace and humor. Dorothy's wit was tamed only by her quiet pride and she was strong and fiercely independent to the very end. Diagnosed with pancreatic cancer on March 22, 2006, she absorbed the news quietly and continued to live her life with faith and determination to transcend the condition despite overwhelming odds.

Private by nature, Dorothy was sometimes difficult to know, but easy to love. She discussed her illness with few, refusing to let it define the final days of her life. She joked and kidded with those around her, caring more for their comfort than her own. Dorothy passed away as she had lived- proudly and gracefully- in her own home and on her own terms.

Dorothy was preceded in death by her loving husband, Howard Short, in 1991; and by her beloved companion, Jerry Ryan in 2005. She is survived by her daughter, Laurie Robinson of Seattle; her grandson and his wife, Eagle and Krystina Robinson of Norman, Oklahoma; and her faithful feline, "Sweetie." Dorothy "Grammie" Short was dearly loved, is sorely missed, and will be remembered for her sincere caring, vitality of spirit, and individuality.

Here memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Friday, May 19 at Seattle Unity Church.

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