Roll Call Tribute

Lauren Christina Short 

November 16, 1993 - December 5, 2023 

Lauren '16 was born on November 16, 1993, in Austin, Texas to Jeffery Eugene Short '89 and Katherine Marguerite (Kraemer) Short '89.

She was a kind, patient, and loving person. She was a loyal friend, and kept the same circle of friends from preschool through adulthood. She was loved throughout her life by all those who knew her.

An honors student, she received straight A's throughout her years in Austin schools. She attended Kiker Elementary School, Bailey Middle School, and graduated from Bowie High School in 2012.

Lauren participated in competitive cheerleading, and played the euphonium in the school band. She was also a member of the color guard at Bowie. She showed passion, talent, and dedication in all her school and extracurricular activities. In 2013, Lauren began college at Austin Community College, pursuing an interest in nursing. She also attended Texas A&M University.

As she entered her young adult years, she began to face serious chronic health challenges. Despite what she was going through, she showed tremendous fortitude and radiated positivity even in the hardest moments of her journey. She had a vibrant digital life, and was part of several online communities where she was an advocate and supporter for those suffering from chronic illness.

Lauren worked as an editor on horror and psychological thriller novels. Here, she expressed her creativity and artistic talents as part of a literary team. She will live on forever through the work she published.

Lauren and Kathy shared a bond beyond that of most mothers and daughters. Their relationship was more like that of sisters or best friends. They listened to the same music, bonded over the same movies, and shared a spirited sense of humor. They did nearly everything together, and they were always there to make each other smile and laugh. They will be deeply missed by their friends, family, and the communities they were part of; however, there is some solace knowing that they are together in heaven.

Lauren was preceded in death by her infant brother, Michael Jeffery Short; maternal grandparents, Judith Ann Lee Kraemer and Werner Kraemer; and her step grandmother, Hildegard Hellbruck Kraemer.

Lauren is survived by her father, Jeff, of Austin; her grandparents, Eugene and Elizabeth Nolting Short of Frisco, Texas; uncle Steven Short '95 and his wife Vicki Linville Short of Mansfield, Texas; cousins Lauren and Jackson Linville; as well as many friends.

In honor of Lauren, memorials may be given to: World Central Kitchen at https://www.wck.org