Joan K. Short, MD passed away peacefully on May 29, 2022. She was a woman who loved life’s experiences and adventures. She traveled the world for both work and pleasure always bringing love and care to all she would meet. Joan was a passionate person who loved the arts, gardening, history and her animals. She was a strong-willed woman who pushed through many of the conventional barriers she confronted in her career and life.
Joan was born in Davy, WV in 1931 to Cleophus and Pauline Short. Having the pioneer spirit, she was the only woman in her medical school. Joan graduated from Northwestern University of Medicine and her residency was at Charity Hospital in New Orleans in 1958 at the age of 27. She went onto Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia until 1962. She was licensed not only in Delaware but in many other states she traveled to and worked. As an accomplished pediatrician, she worked in Haiti, Saudi Arabia and Landstuhl Germany as a Lt. Colonel. As a civilian, Joan went to Vietnam during Operation Baby Lift. She also donated much of her time as a doctor to many causes from the Rosebud Indian Reservation to Bhutan.
Her curiosity and love of life and all it had to offer made her a wonderful teacher, mentor and companion. Joan had a life well lived. She is now traveling on a new adventure….. Joan is survived by her sons, Les Tronzo and his wife Ginger, Craig Tronzo and his wife Janis, her grandchildren Douglas Tronzo and Victoria Whitley.
Services and burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make the donation to The Ocean Conservancy or The World Wildlife Foundation. To send condolences visit: www.mccreryandharra.com.
