Mary Constance Stokley Shortt, 84, died peacefully in her Ocean View home on Thursday, April 25, 2019. She was a native and lifelong resident of Norfolk and was the daughter of the late John Marion and Freida James Stokley. She was preceded in death by her son John R. Shortt. Connie as she was called, was a devout Catholic who attended Norfolk’s Sacred Heart School, Holy Trinity School and was a 1953 graduate Crusader of Norfolk Catholic High School (NCHS). She was co-owner of Stokley’s Services, Inc., (her father’s HVAC business started in1934) alongside her husband Richard H. (Dick) Shortt. Connie served as the 2nd generation, unwavering enthusiastically as the GM, Comptroller, Bookkeeper and was always lovingly referred to as The Real Boss by her husband. Survivors include her loving husband of nearly 63 years, whom she met in the 1st grade was adored by and became High School Sweethearts, and her daughters and sons. She is also survived by 8 grandchildren and 15 greatgrandchildren Other survivors include her lifelong friend of 75 years, who was also the founding member of their Senior Senoritas girls club, keeper of their hilarious childhood and adult antics and mishaps; Connie’s Bloody Mary pal, who with her lighthearted ways and quick wit always managed to keep Connie company, and who was willing to help Connie accomplish whatever goal and task Connie had on her “to do” list; and Connie’s personal nurse, true friend & companion, who remained steadfast, by her side “to the end,” holds a very special love and place forever within the Shortt family. As a mother of five children, Connie somehow managed the time to be extremely active in all of their sports events, being their most loyal fan. She was an active Member of The Catholic Daughters, coordinated numerous fundraising events for Catholic High, served as reunion coordinator for NCHS, and was a member of the Red Hat Club. She embraced being Den Mother of Troop 364, to Girl Scout Volunteer, to lunch mom, to even insisting in helping her youngest daughter (who was only 14 at the time) much to her husband’s chagrin, deliver the morning newspaper, in their neighborhood alongside her ever faithful, companion lab “Bear.” Connie was extremely determined to remain active and involved in all aspects of all her children and grandchildren’s lives. She was headstrong and yet unquestionably the kindest and most gentle soul we have been blessed to have known and loved. Connie will be forever remembered, loved, cherished and deeply missed by all. She was and is Our Sunshine, Our Only Sunshine. A Funeral Mass celebrating her life will be held on May 9,2019 at 11AM at Christ The King Catholic Church on Tidewater Dr. in Norfolk. Interment will be in Forest Lawn Cemetery immediately following the service. Please join the family and friends for a communal gathering, celebrating her life with food and beverages afterwards at Connie and Dick’s Ocean View neighborhood pool/clubhouse at Harbor Walk: located on Harbor Walk Ave Norfolk, Virginia, 23518. Memorial donations may be made to the Basilica of Saint Mary of the Immaculate Conception Renovation or the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. H.D. Oliver Funeral Apts., Norfolk chapel is handling arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to the family at hdoliver.com.

*Names of survivors have been omitted out of respect for their privacy.