Beverly J. Short

Beverly J. (Tranfaglia) Short, a resident of Westwood, passed away on December 13, 2025 at the age of 92 surrounded by her loving family. A devoted mother and artist, Beverly dedicated her life to her children, family and the pursuit of art.

Born and raised in Dorchester, Massachusetts, she was the daughter of the late Joseph M. and Mary C. (Morelli) Tranfaglia. She proudly served in the United States Air Force and was honorably discharged from service in 1953. Shortly after this she met her husband, John Short, and they moved to Westwood to raise their family.

Beverly believed deeply in the value of the arts and placed great importance on musical education for her children. In this pursuit she became the president of the Suburban Youth Orchestra – an organization that provided young people an opportunity to play classical compositions at an early age.

After raising her family, Beverly pursued her own art and graduated with honors from Massachusetts College of Art, earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1990. She was a prolific abstract artist and her work was exhibited throughout Massachusetts.

Beverly was the wife of the late John G. Short who predeceased her in 2005, and the loving mother of Mary McCarthy and her husband Joseph Dollaway of Westwood, Joseph Short and his wife Sylvia of Framingham and John "Jack" Short of Warwick, Rhode Island. She was the beloved grandmother of Steven, Sean and Nicole McCarthy, John Short, Ashley Wasson and Emily Short, and step grandson of Jack Dolloway. She is also survived by three great-grandchildren. Beverly was also predeceased by her siblings Joseph Jr, Richard, Walter, and Virginia.

Visitation for Beverly will be held on January 2, 2026 at the Folsom Funeral Home, 649 High St. Westwood from 4:00-7:00. Services will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Massachusetts Art Education Association at https://massarted.com/events/art-educator-awards-donate/