Constance Eileen Short

Constance (Connie) Short passed away peacefully on August 13, 2026 after a brief illness.

She was born on November 26, 1934 in Cumberland, Maryland to James Patrick and Margaret Angela (McCulley) Moore. She was one of 12 children. She married John (Johnny) Leland Short on September 17, 1955. They had three children and moved from Seat Pleasant to Brandywine, Maryland in 1968. They retired in 1992 and moved to their retirement home in Owings, Maryland where they remained happily married until Johnny passed away on August 1, 2007. Connie later married Joseph (Joe) Carbonaro in 2010 and, although separated, they remained close friends until he passed away in 2026.

Connie was a stay-at-home mom but spent a lot of her time volunteering at the schools that her kids attended, mostly working in the library, which she really enjoyed. She also volunteered with the local Brownie troop and the 4H club. When the kids were older, she started working part time at Safeway stores as a retail clerk as well as in the plant department.

Connie loved gardening and would spend entire days tending to her flowers and vegetables. She enriched the soil with her own compost and, when Johnny limited the number of gardens he had to mow around, began to also garden in the woods. She loved nature and, in addition to her five dogs, took care of the birds and would spend hours watching the birds, squirrels and deer in her yard.

She also enjoyed square dancing and sewed her own skirts with matching bolo ties for Johnny. She was an avid bowler until she was 87, travelling as far as Hawaii for tournaments. She also enjoyed bingo, cake decorating, cruises and playing slot machines.

Connie was preceded in death by her husbands, Johnny and Joe, and her daughter, Tracey Lynn Short. She was also preceded in death by her parents and ten of her siblings, in addition to numerous other relatives and dear friends.

She is survived by her sister, Helen Hutchinson; her children, Vicki (Keith Williams) Short-Williams and Tony (Sissy) Short; along with her five grandchildren, Forrest (Brittany) Short, Elizabeth (Zack) Hood, John Williams, Sailor Short and Michael (Sydney) Williams; in addition to one great-granddaughter, Molly Hood.

A brief prayer service followed by a celebration of Connie's life and a luncheon will be held on August 22, 2026 from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at Saint Nicholas Lutheran Church, 1450 Plum Point Rd, Huntingtown, MD 20639.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to your local animal shelter or rescue.