Sally L. Peterson-Short

Sally L. Peterson-Short, 77, of Naples, Florida, and Moline, Illinois, passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025, at UnityPoint Health – Trinity Rock Island.

Services are 1:00 p.m. Sunday, December 21, in the Horizon Room at Trimble Funeral Home, 701 12th Street, Moline, with Rev. Duane Lahti officiating. The family will greet friends at a hospitality gathering immediately following services until 4:00 p.m. at CityView Celebrations at Trimble Pointe. Private burial is in Moline Memorial Park. Memorials may be made to one’s favorite charity.

The former Sally Lynn Peterson was born March 27, 1948, in Davenport, Iowa, the daughter of Clifford L. and Roberta J. (Morrison) Peterson. She graduated from Moline High School in 1966 and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Augustana College in Rock Island, Illinois.

She married the love of her life, Melvin Short, on August 27, 1978, in Moline. Together they shared more than 47 wonderful years of marriage, marked by a love of travel and cherished winters spent in Naples, Florida.

Sally devoted much of her professional life to education, serving as a middle school teacher and coach in the New Windsor, Illinois, area for approximately ten years. She later worked for Deere & Company. After retiring, she joyfully pursued one of her passions as a floral designer at Staack Florist in Moline. Sally also found great pleasure in gardening and was a member of the Tri-City Garden Club. She was active in the KT Chapter of P.E.O. and valued the friendships she made there.

Above all, Sally will be remembered for her kindness and genuine interest in others. She had a gift for meaningful conversation and a warm presence that made people feel truly heard. She shared a lifelong love of Boston Terriers and was devoted to the many beloved pets who were part of her family over the years.

Sally is survived by her beloved husband, Mel; her brother and sister-in-law, Jeffrey H. and Jana Peterson of Bettendorf; a nephew and niece, Clifford (Ann) Peterson, and Emily (Ryan) Cady; great-nieces and great-nephews, Jack, Ella, Will, Luke, Madylin, Oskar, Liv, and Gunnar; brother-in-law, Paul (Mary Jo) Short of Colorado Springs, Colorado; cousins, Kathy (Kevin) Shepard, and Susan (Don) Roberts; and her lifelong friend, Sally Vito of Los Osos, California. She was preceded in death by her parents and in-laws, Emmalou and Melvin Short, Sr.

The family invites friends to share stories and condolences at TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.