Nine years ago, Sarah Logan Loomis raised her hand at a meeting of parents.
The meeting was for her daughter, Ella, and the Daisy Girl Scout Troop that Ella would belong to, with Loomis volunteering to become a co-leader of the troop.
Only one other person raised their hand that night to volunteer to serve as a co-leader.
That person was Amy Blue-Short.
“Amy was my first true friend when we lived in St. Joseph,” Loomis said. “I will forever be grateful that I decided to raise my hand at that meeting. Had I not, I would have missed out on so many years of laughs and wonderful memories.”
Short lost her battle with glioblastoma last Thursday morning, passing away at the age of 48.
Glioblastoma is an aggressive type of cancer that can occur in the brain or spinal cord. Glioblastoma forms from cells called astrocytes that support nerve cells.
Loomis said she was always amazed at how put-together and easy Short made her schedule look. At the time, Short’s daughters — Maureen, Audrey
“Which really meant lots of chatting and big margaritas,” Loomis said.
Loomis said her friend was an overachiever, even where scouting was concerned.
In 2011, Amy decided to hold a Safety Fair for the community at Prince of Peace.
“She arranged everything,” Loomis said.
The event featured multiple police cars, an ambulance and even a medical helicopter.
In December 2012, Amy and the scouts held a coat drive for Champaign County Head Start.
They were outside of Wal-Mart in strong winds, freezing rain and snow for hours, Loomis said.
But they collected over 75 coats, gloves and scarves for those in need.
“Very rarely do we come across someone as special as Amy Short, and when we do, we know it,” Loomis said. “She was selfless, giving, supportive and thoughtful. She was no-nonsense and tough, but her heart was golden and her smile and laughter
When the Loomis family had a medical emergency, the Shorts pitched in and watched their kids, making sure the family had everything they needed.
“Without hesitation, the Short family would drop what they were doing and help out those in need,” Loomis said. “Their dedication to their family and community far exceeded anything I had, or have ever, seen and experienced.”
Loomis and her family moved out of St. Joseph four years ago.
“There were a lot of things I was sad to say good-bye to when we moved, but Amy and her family were at the top of the list,” Loomis said. “ Although we didn’t keep in touch much these past four years, I loved seeing all of the photos she’d post of the girls growing up.”
Loomis remembered her friend as a fighter.
“I am sure that’s what she did throughout her courageous battle,” she said.
Zach Steele and his wife Andrea also met Amy through scouts.
Steele said he and his family will remember Amy’s willingness to help out whether it was with scouts, softball or even home improvement projects.
“I remember once when we were cutting down these huge bushes in front of our house when we first moved to St. Joseph, but we had no place to take them,” he said. “Andrea posted something on Facebook and Tim and Amy right away offered their land and burn pile. I know that that might be a small thing, but when you’re new to a place, the small things feel big.”
Steele said he taught and coached all three of the Short girls.
“They supported me and others as teachers and as coaches,” he said.
Amber Camp said she met Amy in 2008 when she had Audrey in her kindergarten class.
“I instantly liked Amy. First impressions are everything and Amy always left a good one,” Camp said. “She was always so easy to talk to and making jokes all the time.”
In 2010, Amy’s daughter Katherine was in Camp’s class.
“She loved those girls so much,” Camp said.
Christina Gherna also taught Audrey and Katherine.
Gherna said the Shorts were the most supportive, involved parents.
“If I asked for something or needed help with anything they were the first to volunteer,” she said. “Amy will be missed by this community so much.”
Gherna said that her favorite memory of Amy involved a bottle of wine and the grade school Christmas Concert.
“They snuck in two bottles of wine to the Christmas concert to give me,” she said. “Best teacher gift ever. When I think of
Jennifer Brooks said her first memory of Amy, like many in St. Joseph, revolved around softball. The Brooks’ daughter, Isabelle
“Having an older daughter in softball, she could provide insight for all of us new moms,” Brooks said. “She is going to be greatly missed in this community.”
Lana Wolken said she would remember her friend’s devotion to her children.
Wolken first met Amy at a parent’s meeting for softball parents.
Wolken’s husband, Randy, was the head coach at St. Joseph-Ogden High School.
“She was always volunteering to do whatever she could for the softball program,” Wolken said.
This included concessions, making lunches for the team and giving rides to players.
“She was very supportive,” Wolken said.
Wolken said that throughout her battle, Amy maintained her sense of humor and her appreciation for the community her family called home.
“I saw her at several of the benefits, and she was so appreciative of everything the community had done,” Wolken said. “Her love for her girls and Tim showed through all the pain she was suffering. She was everywhere with them that she could be until the end.”
You must be logged in to post a comment.