Mildred Short
May 19, 1942 -
Sep 28, 2023
Mildred Ethel Short, known as Millie, passed away peacefully in her home on Sept. 28, 2023, in Anchorage, Alaska, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born on May 19, 1942, in Moses Point, Alaska, to Eric Kotongan and Alma Sarah Pauwok. Millie leaves behind a rich legacy filled with love, compassion and a deep connection to the Native subsistence lifestyle.
Millie married the love of her life, Hugh Short, on Dec. 18, 1963, and they have four children together. Millie and Hugh raised their children all over Alaska, including Bethel, Nome, Anchorage and Fairbanks. Hugh and Millie taught them the value of hard work and community. Throughout their life together, Millie and Hugh would often spend time together with their family driving to Burns Lake, B.C., to meet Hugh's family.
Millie had a deep love for nature; driving her Wooldridge boat on the Kuskokwim river, fishing for salmon in the summer, picking blueberries, cranberries, salmonberries and blackberries in the fall, and going hunting with family. As a strong Inupiaq woman, Millie had a passion to provide for her family and friends, as did her ancestors for generations on the Seward Peninsula.
Millie was the loving mother to her daughter, Velda Miller and son-in-law Lance Miller; and sons, Kevin Short and Hugh Short Jr. and daughter-in-law Trina Short. She was a devoted grandmother to Melanie McIntyre, Anamarie Miller and husband Jeremy Pecoul, Derrick Stickman, Miranda Miller and husband Loren Early, Brittany Dementieff and husband Moses, LJ Miller and wife Jamie, Cody Short and wife Maria, Madilyn Short, Karis Short, Elizabeth Millie Short and Kailani Short. She is also survived by her sister Corrine Friemering. She is reunited in Heaven with her husband, Hugh Short; son, Sherman Hugh Short; grandson, Matthew Short; parents, Alma Pauwok and Eric Kotongen; brothers, Richard Pauwok, William Pauwok, Jimmy Pauwok, Norman Pauwok and Julius Pleasant; and sister, Flora Bond. Millie's family also extends to many great-grandchildren, relatives and foster children spread across Alaska, who will remember her fondly and miss her dearly.
