Irene E. Short, 89, of Potter Township and Monaca, passed away Tuesday afternoon, February 7, 2017, at Friendship Commons, Brighton Township.Born May 25, 1927, in Rochester, she was a daughter of the late John and Anna (Hirjak) Prosko.  Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin ‘Mud’ Short, on October 4,1974.  Irene was known as ‘The Junkyard Lady’ from working with her husband at their business, Short’s Auto Wrecking.  After his passing, she worked as a vending machine attendant at Arco Polymers and Bruce Mansfield Power Station.  She later retired from working as a bus aide for New Horizon School in Brighton Township.Irene was known for the delicious nut rolls and apple strudel that she baked.  Early on, she instructed her family to keep her recipes a secret.  Many people will also remember having been gifted with one of her hand-knitted dishcloths.  In her later years she enjoyed singing with the Life Beaver Chorus.She will be sadly missed by her five children, Robert Scott of Norco, CA, Sandra (Kenneth) Knapp of Orlando, FL, James (Jill) Scott of Hookstown, Linda Pettinicchi of Havertown, PA and Barbara (Dennis) Mike of Chippewa Township; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mary Ann Casey and Pauline (‘Red’) Smith, all in Oregon, and a sister-in-law, Jean Prosko, along with several nieces and nephews.In addition to her husband and parents, Irene was preceded in death by a brother, Edward Prosko and a brother-in-law, John Casey.Friends will be received Thursday from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. in the Simpson Funeral & Cremation Services, 1119 Washington Avenue, Monaca, where funeral services will be held Friday at 10 a.m.Interment will follow in Union Cemetery.The family wishes to express their sincere appreciation to the former and present staff members of Life Beaver at Friendship Commons and Mother Teresa Hospice for their tender care and special devotion to Irene.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran Senior Life Foundation, 401 South Main Street, Zelienople, PA 16063.  Please note Life Beaver in the memo.To share online condolences, get directions and other information, please visit simpsonfuneralhome.com.