the Obituary of Beverly Joan Short

Beverly Joan Short Obituary

Longtime Yreka resident, Beverly Joan Short, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2024, after a long residency at Madrone Hospice House.

Beverly was born February 7, 1938 in East Orange, New Jersey to Joseph and Dorothy (Rose) Phillips. Beverly was raised in West Orange, New Jersey, attending Washington Elementary, Edison Junior High, and West Orange High School. Upon her graduation, she moved out west and attended San Francisco City College. Life took Beverly to Southern California and then to Mountlake Terrace, Washington, before she came to Yreka in 1996.

In Yreka, Beverly was very active in the Yreka United Methodist Church. She served for many years as a chairperson of the United Methodist Women, and participated in all of the bake sales, homeless outreaches, book clubs, or other events that the church put on. Beverly loved going on trips, frequently visiting a family home in Maine, camping every summer with her family, trips to various zoos whenever possible, and, in her later years, she took up quilting. Beverly was always caring for others and was “Mom” to many, taking them in as part of the family. She loved all animals, and had a soft spot for nurturing, and on occasion rescuing, baby animals and birds. Beverly worked as a phone operator and was a lifetime member of the Telephone Pioneers, starting her career on a cord board in 1957, retiring in 1996. She also worked as a transportation driver for cancer patients during her retirement.

Beverly found joy in hosting large Christmas breakfasts and Thursday night dinners with her whole family. More-so, she loved her grandchildren and attending all their activities: sports, pageants, programs, and the like. Where they were, so was Beverly! She made Raggedy Anne and Raggedy Andy dolls for all of her grandchildren and many of her great-grandchildren.

Beverly was preceded in death by the love of her life, Ron Dean; two sons, Nathan Short and John Short; her parents and a sister, Dolores Orifino. She is survived by her children Charles Short Jr. (Karen) of Redding, Gregory Short (Pam) of Yreka, Jennifer (Tom) Matson of Minnetonka, Minnesota, and Kathleen Mitchell of Seattle, Washington, and a daughter-in-law, Cori Short, of Lake Elsinore; as well as 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren.

A memorial service for Beverly will be held on June 29, 2024 at 10 am at Yreka United Methodist Church in Yreka. Memorial contributions in Beverly’s name can be made to Shasta Methodist Camp, 8339 Castle Lake Road, Mount Shasta, CA 96067 or to Madrone Hospice, Inc., 255 Collier Circle, Yreka, CA 96097.

source: Girdner Funeral Chapel