Carolyn Colburn Short

Carolyn Short, 84, of Kingston, NY,   passed away on Tuesday, March 7, 2023 at Health Alliance Hospital - Mary's Ave Campus in Kingston, NY.  She was born on March 19, 1938 in Philadelphia, PA and was the daughter of the late Joseph Colburn and Caroline Mary Napolitano.

Carolyn graduated from St. Ursulas Academy and Daemen College. She went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Public Health from Lehman College, New York City. She had a variety of careers: English Teacher; journalist and editor- Ulster County Gazette; Social Welfare Examiner, Department of Social Services; Kingston City Clerk; Public Health Education Coordinator, Ulster County Health Department; contract work with Ulster County Office for the Aging administering Medicare Part B program.

Carolyn’s community involvement over the years includes: Board of Trustees, Kingston Area Library; founder and first president. Friends of Kingston Area Library; Kingston Lions Club; Board of Directors Kingston Lions Club; WGHQ Happy Christmas Board of Directors member, Board of Directors, Ulster Literacy Association; Board of Directors, Family of Woodstock; Cornell Cooperative Extension Program Committee member; President of Ulster County Women’s Republican Club, member and President of the Little Gardens Club of Kingston; St. Ursulas Alumnae Association; communicant of St. Joseph’s Church. She was also named one of the New York State 2004 Women of Distinction by the State Senate.

She is survived by her daughter Eileen M. Short, her brother Paul Colburn and wife Betty; her step-grandson Michael Kirkpatrick, niece Tracey Carr, nephews Christopher, Dale and Dean Colburn, several great nieces, nephews and cousins.

In addition to her parents, Carolyn is preceded in death by her son Donald F. Short, who died on December 23, 1988.

Arrangements entrusted to Keyser Funeral & Cremation Service, Inc., 326 Albany Avenue, Kingston, NY 12401. A graveside service will take place on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Kingston.  A tribute for Carolyn may be found at www.KeyserFuneralService.com, where you may leave memories and expressions of sympathy for her family.