Mary Lou Short, 66, of Galesburg, died at home Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 8:47 a.m.
Mary was born July 9, 1956, in Rock Island, Illinois the daughter of Roy and Betty (Lampley) Gray. She graduated from Northwestern High School in Sciota, Illinois. Mary married Jerry B. Short in 1976. Together they had three children, Carrie, Jerri, and David.
Mary is survived by her two daughters, Carrie Short and Jerri Short both of Galesburg; one son, David Short of Galesburg; two granddaughters, four grandsons, and nine great-grandchildren. Mary is also survived by five brothers, Lee Gray of Missouri, Robert (the late Cindy) Gray of East Moline, Illinois, Roy Gray of Monmouth, Illinois, David (Lisa “Tweet”) Gray of Moline, Illinois, and Steve (Dawn) Gray of Rock Island; and two sisters, Linda (Russ) Rusk of Rock Island and Sharon (Mike) Jones of Monmouth. Along with her parents, Mary was preceded in death by one brother, Donald Gray; and one great-grandchild.
Always a hard worker, Mary worked for several years at Warren Achievement and then worked for over 21 years at Greenbriar Racquetball Club in Bloomington, Illinois, and retired from housekeeping at Carle Hospital in Bloomington in 2022. Mary also worked on the side cleaning homes for many different families over the years. In her free time, Mary enjoyed gardening and sewing. Christmas season was always Mary’s favorite time of the year.
Cremation has been accorded. A memorial visitation will be 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Private burial of cremated remains will be at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
