Karen Lynne Short

Karen Lynne Short (née Weinstock), 77, of Huntley, Illinois, passed away on March 5, 2026.

Karen was born February 4, 1949, in Denver, Colorado, to the late Harry and Marjorie Weinstock. She was the beloved wife of the late Phillip Short, with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Together they built a life full of adventure, family, and stories that would be told for years to come.

She was the devoted mother of Andrew (Adrienne) Short and Bari (Todd) Smith, and the loving mother of the late David Short. Karen was a proud and adoring Nana to Morgan Short, Griffin Short, Aiden Smith, and Sydnie Smith, who brought her immense joy.

Karen is also survived by her brother David (Kay) Weinstock and was preceded in death by her brother Edward Weinstock.

Karen lived a life defined by independence, curiosity, and a willingness to take chances. Over the years she called many places home, including Arlington Heights, Illinois; Fontana, Wisconsin; Bermuda Dunes, California; Sun City West and Sun City, Arizona. In one of her most memorable adventures, she moved to Cuenca, Ecuador for three years on a whim, embracing the experience with her characteristic boldness.

A registered nurse by profession, Karen dedicated her career to caring for others. She worked as an orthopedic nurse and also served as a prison nurse, bringing toughness, compassion, and humor to the work.

Karen loved travel, golf, and the companionship of her dogs. She was an avid golfer and a passionate advocate for Golden Retrievers, volunteering for many years with Rescue A Golden of Arizona. Her devotion to animals was unwavering, and her beloved Golden Retrievers, Coco and Lily, were never far from her side.

Those who knew Karen will remember her as strong-willed and fiercely independent. She lived life on her own terms. She survived cancer, cheated death more times than seemed possible, and carried on with the resilience and stubbornness that defined her spirit.

Karen’s life was full of stories, laughter, and adventure. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and all who knew her.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Rescue A Golden of Arizona, 2550 E. Rose Garden Lane, #71987, Phoenix, AZ 85050, or online at golden-retriever.org/donations, noting that the gift is in memory of Karen Short.