Caroline Mears Short, a lifelong resident of Delaware, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 27, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Wilmington on December 6, 1927 to the late Mary Jane (Mae McCall) and Thomas Mears.
She graduated from Wilmington High School in 1946 and served as vice president of her senior class. After her graduation, she was hired by the Delaware Chapter of the American Red Cross as a Junior Red Cross Director Assistant. Throughout her career, she held a variety of positions, both volunteer and professional. Her positions at Caroline included fundraising, serving military families, director of transportation and community services, and director of disaster services. She retired in 1988 after serving as Director of Volunteer Services for 43 years. After retiring from the Red Cross, Caroline moved to Rehoboth Beach, where she worked at Caldwell Banker and Rehoboth Beach Realty, where she worked for over 25 years.
Caroline has started many community programs over the years, but the one that has given her the most satisfaction is “I'm OK for Seniors,” which started as a security program for many senior housing facilities, and the Wilmington SPCA. It was a pet therapy program associated with. Take your pet to the hospital or nursing home and interact with the residents. Her first stop was Ellesmere Veterans Hospital, which not only started allowing pets, but she actually adopted a kitten of her own.
Over the years, Caroline has received many awards. In 2000, she was honored with the Delaware County Award for outstanding volunteer work in fundraising efforts in Sussex County for organizing and chairing the annual Red Cross Nouveau Beaujolais Wine Tasting and Action for 20 years. Received the Red Cross A Plus Award. As a real estate agent, she became a member of the International Diamond Association in 2008.
Caroline is a member of many state and local organizations, including Delaware Volunteer Coordinator, Wilmington Women in Business, Delaware Pilot Club, American Legion Auxiliary, VFW Auxiliary, Cape Henlopen Elks Lodge 2540, and Prince of Piedmont Lodge. I have joined the organization.
In addition to her parents, Caroline was preceded in death by her husband, James Short Sr. “Big Jim” after 60 years of marriage; her infant son, Thomas Mears Short; her beloved daughter, Sherry Short Eastburn; her extraordinary son, James Short Jr. “Jimmy/Shorty”; and her brother, Tommy Mears.
Caroline is survived by her family: Lynn and Anthony Iolii, Cinde Andres and Steve Ademski, Nancy and Phil Durney, and Paige Holt; She is survived by her grandchildren, Michael (Juliet) Iolii, Brian (Lisa) Andres, Jamie (Clint) Thomas, Callie (Larry) Hart, Christine (Damien) Hamlin, Nicole Darney, Michelle Iolii; Philip Darney III, Casey (Brian Millard), Courtney (Kyle) Moore, Casey and Connor Bell. Her great-grandchildren, Isabella and Sophia Iolii, Scarlett and Sean Andres, Lily, Piper and Avery Thomas; Ashton and Dylan Hart, Melia, Zoe and Bryson Hamlin, Peyton Scienni, Wade Millard, Campbell and Sutton Moore; many nieces, nephews and cousins; and her beloved grandson.
Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 4th from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Purcell Funeral Home and Crematory, 16961 Kings Hwy., Lewes.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, February 5th, at All Saints Episcopal Church, 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, with friends calling at 10 a.m., followed by interment at Gray Sloan Memorial Park, 2220 N. will be held. Dupont Highway, New Castle.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Caroline's memory be made to Humane Animal Partners at digives.org/orgs/humane-animal-partners. or All Saints', 18 Olive Ave., Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.
Please visit Caroline's life memorial webpage at parsellfuneralhomes.com.
