Shirley Ann Posey

Born in Tuttle, North Dakota to parents Lydia Rath Schwindt and Alexander Schwindt Sr., Shirley Ann Schwindt was among the multitude of Shirley Temple namesakes. However, Shirley Schwindt didn’t only share a name with the world’s most famous child star; she also shared the same dynamic force of talent and personality. Shirley Schwindt was musically gifted in voice and instrumentation. She loved to perform from the time she was four years old when her 8-year-old sister Erma, acting as Shirley’s manager, charged neighbors and friends to watch Shirley sing and pop her double-jointed fingers in and out of alignment to the rhythm of the song.

When the high school marching band professor held auditions to rapidly fill the “baritone” section of his band for a piece of music he wished to perform at the state competition he auditioned all the high school students. However, the band director ended up selecting 6th grader Shirley who had asked for a chance to try-out. She learned to play the instrument proficiently within three months and was given special notes of commendation by the judges at the state competition. Shirley helped Tuttle’s band receive a “Superior” rating. Shirley also learned to play the guitar and piano.

Always a gifted athlete, Shirley was a stand-out player during the North Dakota state high school basketball playoffs. Even though she stood at a (generously) listed height of 5’2” on the program roster, Shirley was a mighty force on the basketball court. The press dubbed her the “always dependable shot hitter!” With her power and strength, Shirley was also an excellent gymnast. The neighborhood children were impressed to see “Mrs. Posey” do handsprings across her front yard and then spin around to walk on her hands all the way back across to the other side. One afternoon her son Monte and his friend Craig were being teased by some of the older and taller boys playing basketball together. Monte could not quite reach their height in making shots. Shirley came out and asked if Monte and Craig would like to team with her to play a game against all the other boys. Monte enthusiastically agreed, Craig wasn’t as sure. The other boys laughed about Monte’s mom playing on his team until the first “jump ball to start the game”. Newfound respect for Craig, Monte and his mother occurred that day as their opposition didn’t score a single point in the lopsided victory!

Shirley brought her “A-Game” to every endeavor including her membership at Kirkland’s Trinity Lutheran church where she served over 50 years as a council officer, Sunday School teacher, choir member and director, head of the women’s groups and wedding coordinator. Shirley participated as a volunteer in multitudes of charitable and community events including March of Dimes, PTA, Campfire Girls, Little League Baseball and The Seattle Children’s Hospital.

Shirley was employed by GTE-Sylvania-Sprint-Verizon through all its transitions over 44 years beginning as a switchboard operator in their downtown Kirkland office. At retirement Shirley had worked through the ranks to become a technological expert creating business systems and developing the teaching curriculum for them. In her last few years before retirement, Shirley traveled the country teaching teachers how to educate their students regarding the new technologies and the marketing strategies thereof. In addition to her professional career, Shirley was an outstanding baker and chef as well as being a “green thumb” gardener and masterful seamstress.

Shirley enjoyed life to the fullest and lived purposefully each day. She was a devoted wife to her husband of nearly 50 years, Monte Posey Sr. who proceeded her in death by 20 years. She loved her children and grandchildren citing them as her “gemstones and jewels” in an otherwise humbly lived life! She is survived by her children Carlyne Posey Grager (Larry), Monte Posey (Kathy), Bradley Posey, Kirk Posey (Jenny) and Toni Posey; 13 Grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. Shirley passed away at the age of 86 years at Overlake Hospital in Bellevue, WA.