Ruth Short

Ruth Short, a beacon of love and laughter, passed away peacefully on August 14, 2024, at the age of 94, in Garden City, Michigan. Born on September 4, 1929, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late John and Augusta Galka, Ruth's life was a tapestry woven with joy, faith, and an enduring spirit of community service.
Ruth spent 53 blissful years married to her beloved husband Ken Benton, who she met in a quaint old German church in Detroit where he played the piano. Their love story was one of shared passions and mutual respect. Although Ken predeceased her, the harmony of their life together continued to resonate in her heart. She later found companionship in Bob Short, with whom she was married for nine months before his passing. Both Ruth and Bob shared a deep affection for Garden City, culminating in a charming wedding in the historical building of the town they cherished.
A devoted mother, Ruth is survived by her daughter, Cherie Mattera, and her son, Randy Benton, and his wife Denise Cervelli-Benton. Her legacy of kindness and humor lives on through her grandchildren: Heather McGrath; Raiana Johns; Christina Crowe; Tiffany O'Connor; Justin Girgen; and Hailey Jones. She was also a loving great-grandmother to Kristen, Megan, Connor, Shiana, Emily, Savannah, Brooklyn, Gavin, Dominic, Finley, and Piper. The family tree continued to flourish with the arrival of her great-great-grandchildren, Knox and Bently whose presence will forever remind them of Ruth's enduring love.
Ruth was the caring sister of Ester Stein and the late Ed Galka, Charlotte Dodds, and Elaine Roble. Her family remembers her as the heart of their world, a woman whose boundless love knew no limits and whose presence was a comforting embrace in times of need.
Ruth's work history and community involvement were marked by a remarkable drive to continue growing and contributing. After her children graduated high school, she pursued her GED, demonstrating that it is never too late to embrace new challenges and accomplishments. She was a fixture in the city of Garden City, where she not only worked the polls during elections but also served on the Garden City Board of Review. Her sense of civic duty was matched only by her desire to give back to the community, as evidenced by her volunteer work at the Maplewood Senior Resale Shop.
An artisan at heart, Ruth found solace and joy in crafting. Her hands were rarely still, as she loved to crochet and knit, creating scarves that warmed the bodies and hearts of those she loved. She also had a talent for making jewelry, combining colors and textures to fashion unique pieces that reflected her creative spirit. A true Michigan sports fan, Ruth's enthusiasm for the Tigers, Lions, and Red Wings was infectious, and her loyalty to her teams was unwavering.
Above all, Ruth was a Christian woman whose faith illuminated her path. Her independence, kindness, outgoing nature, and sense of humor were as much a part of her as her unwavering faith. She was a caring and loving soul, touching the lives of all who knew her with grace and good humor.
As we bid farewell to Ruth Short, we celebrate a life exquisitely lived. Her spirit, encapsulated by love, kindness, and laughter, will continue to inspire and guide us. Ruth's memory will be cherished and kept alive in the stories passed down through generations, in the warmth of the scarves she crafted, in the sparkle of the jewelry she made, and in the echoes of her laughter that will forever resonate in our hearts.