Yvonne Peterson Shortlidge

Yvonne Peterson Shortlidge of Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, passed away on October 21, 2024, after a seven-year battle with leukemia.  She was 49 years old.  Throughout her illness she always carried herself with dignity and grace.

Yvonne was born June 19, 1975, in Woodbridge, VA.  She graduated from Godwin High School in Richmond, VA and James Madison University with a degree in Interior Design.  She met her husband, Swithin, in college where they became inseparable.  Prior to starting a family, Yvonne worked for a number of architecture firms in the Washington, DC area where she showcased her talents for organization and creativity.

Yvonne and Swithin moved to Kennett Square in 2004.  They started their family and had three children who she adored.  She loved her family and friends above all else but also enjoyed gardening, jewelry, books, sewing and automobiles.  Yvonne designed handmade gifts, clothes for dolls and girls, and many accoutrements for her home.  Some of her masterpieces were elaborate cross-stitched Christmas stockings for each member of the family.

Yvonne was also stubborn and when she set her mind to something she would never give up until she achieved her goal.  She was passionate about volunteering and one of her favorite ways to give back to the community was running the Scholastic Book Fair at the Bancroft Elementary School.  She cherished being a mother and was a fixture at her children’s many sporting and extracurricular activities.

Yvonne is survived by her husband of 24 years, Swithin Chandler Shortlidge IV; her three children, Swithin V, Tate and Audrey; her mother, Marjorie Peterson, her sister, Tara Cooke; dog, Blizzard and cat, Karina.

A viewing will be from 10:00AM until 11:00AM with a funeral service at 11:00AM on Monday, October 28, 2024 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 10 W. Pleasant Grove Road, West Chester, Pennsylvania.  Visitation and a reception with the family will be at the church following the funeral service.

While Yvonne loved flowers, she loved helping others more.  The family requests that flowers be omitted.  Please consider making a donation in Yvonne's name to the National Marrow Donor Program to help other leukemia patients in their fight for life.  Click HERE

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Yvonne Peterson Shortlidge, please visit our floral store.