Sonia K. Shortt

SONIA LYNN KRAGES SHORTT

November 5, 1937 – September 21, 2018

On Friday, September 21, 2018, Sonia Lynn Krages Shortt, loving wife of William Arthur “Bill” Shortt, and mother of two children, passed away at the age of 80. Funeral plans are currently being made for inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery in a few months with a reception to follow. There are no plans for a Viewing or a Memorial Service at this time. When final arrangements are completed an announcement will be issued. In lieu of flowers or other memorials, please make a donation to a Charity of your choice.

Sonia was preceded in death by both parents and her brother, Henry J. “Johnny” Krages, Jr. She leaves behind her adoring husband, Bill, daughter Sally Jean Moore (Michael) of Virginia Beach, VA, son Philip Arthur Shortt (Carol) of Frederick, MD, eight grandchildren Elizabeth Cardona, Alex Cardona, Bradley Shortt, Amanda (Shortt) Bowen, Ashley Shortt, Brooke Shortt, Spencer Shortt, and Paige Shortt, four great grandchildren, Landon, Kennedy, Ashton and Laykin Bowen. She also leaves her sister Tosca Simms (Wayland) of Blackstone, Virginia, brothers Michael Christopher Krages of Warrensville, NC, Harold Newton Krages (Deborah) of Sebastian, FL, and uncounted other relatives, cousins, nieces, nephews, inlaws, and outlaws scattered both far and near.

Sonia was born on November 5, 1937, in Okalona, Kentucky (a suburb of Louisville), to Henry John “Hank” and Imogene Lucille (Lambert) Krages. Growing up she lived in Delaware; Indianhead, Maryland and Falls Church, Virginia.

She graduated from George Mason High School in Falls Church, Virginia on June 10, 1954, and went on to study nursing at Mary Washington College and the University of Virginia. She also took training to become a Medical Laboratory Technician until she left full time school to become a wife and mother, her true life’s passion. However, she continued her education by continually taking College courses of interest until she received an Associate in Arts Degree, with High Honors from Prince George’s Community College in Maryland on May 24, 1980, the same year that her daughter graduated from the University of Maryland College Park and her son graduated from Bowie High School, Bowie, Maryland. A voracious reader, she also loved playing word games, and working crossword and other word puzzles. She set a high standard for all who followed.

In her personal life, while in High School, Sonia was a member of Job’s Daughters Bethel Number 10 in Falls Church, Virginia. After marriage she joined The Order of the Eastern Star in Annandale Virginia, later transferring her membership to Omaha, Nebraska, then Bowie Maryland, and was a member of Odenton Chapter Number 29, OES at the time of her death. She was also a Charter Member of the Daughters of the Nile in Northern Virginia. In Omaha she became active in the New Neighbors League participating in their Bowling League. After moving to Bowie, Maryland, Sonia joined and was very active in the Beta Sigma Phi sorority.

In her business life, Sonia worked at the Soda Fountain in the Falls Church Drug Store while in High School. Later she worked for the Department of Defense in the Pentagon and at other locations as well as providing contract Secretarial services to civilian businesses. For a time she worked in a Doctor’s Office as his Receptionist/ Secretary/Medical Technician/Nurse and all around “Girl Friday”. After taking 31 years off to raise her children, she enjoyed a brief stint as a Realtor, but eventually pursued a career at the U.S. Treasury Department where she worked as a Secretary, cross trained and became a Computer Specialist. After more than 32 years as a Government employee, Sonia retired on February 28, 2014 at the age of 76.

Sonia Lynn Krages Shortt was indeed a remarkable woman of many talents with a great heart, loving, compassionate and will be missed by all who knew her.

My Sweetie, My wife,

My Love, My Life.

Bill