Rita Louise Short

Our dear sister Rita Louise Short passed away on December 1, 2023 from a short bout with cancer. Rita was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on August 21, 1954. She attended St Joseph Elementary School and Kalamazoo Hackett where she graduated in 1972. Rita went on to attend WMU and U of M, receiving her BA in Education and Languages in 1977, graduating Magna Cum Laude. She received her MBA in Marketing from WMU in 1985, also graduating Magna Cum Laude.

Rita spent two years teaching bilingual education in Kalamazoo, MI, but spent the next 30 years living in San Diego, CA working for several corporations in human resources. She was the founder of her own business, Bloomingnow.com which was a consulting business focusing on improving the health, passion and creativity of women in the second half of their life. Rita was a talented website designer who also spoke Spanish and a little French. She had settled in Dewey, Arizona in recent years with her significant other, Jeff Miekam.

Rita is survived by her 6 brothers and sisters: Mary (Lou) Ruggirello, Thomas (Pat) Short, David, Christine (Kim) Cauchy, John (Lori) Short, Michael (Teri) Short plus numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She is predeceased in death by her parents, John Leo and Helen Short, Uncle William & Aunt Marie Burke, Uncle Bud & Aunt Eleanor Cornelius, cousins Ken & Doug Cornelius, nephew Michael Ruggirello and niece Mary Roos.

Rita had an adventurous spirit and loved outdoor activities including horseback riding, hiking, sailing, scuba diving, swimming and traveling. She owned horses at one point and never met an animal she didn't love. Rita was also very artistic, enjoyed doing crafts and loved books and movies of all genres. She was always fully engaged, whether it be taking care of her pets, gardening or participating in a lively political discussion.

Rita was beloved by everyone in her large extended family and had many dear friends from one coast to another. She had a gregarious fun-loving personality and an unparalleled " joie de vivre ". Rita's kind generous nature will be sorely missed by so many. The empty void she leaves in all the hearts she touched will be impossible to fill. God has another angel in Heaven now!