Shirley Reid

Shirley Reid passed away August 15, 2024, two weeks shy of her 94th birthday and less than three months shy of the election of the first female president, an event that she has been waiting to happen for years.

Shirley was born on August 29, 1930, in Newton, IA to Lela and Elmer Kooistra and grew up on her family farm with her brother Verle, where she attended a one-room schoolhouse — something that amazed her fellow residents at Sunrise Senior Living in Washington, DC. Shirley had a thirst for learning and, in order to attend high school, she lived with her aunts in town.

Shirley graduated from Central College in Pella, IA where she met Paul Tedford. Shirley and Paul married in 1952. They soon moved to Springfield, MA where Paul received training for a career with the YMCA and Shirley taught English in the public school system. After their stint in Springfield, they moved to Galveston, TX where Paul continued his career with YMCA and Shirley taught school, including many immigrant students. While in Galveston, Shirley gave birth to her first child, daughter Ann Lora.

Shirley, Paul, and Ann moved to Wilmington, DE in 1957. In 1960, Shirley gave birth to her second daughter, Jane Brand. Shirley was a working mother before it was popular as she took the position of Assistant Professor of English at Goldey-Beacom College.

Shirley had a love for musical theater and participated in many community theater productions.

Shirley shared the stage with Robert Reid and in 1973, they married. Shirley and Robert lived in St. Louis, MO and Buffalo, NY before finally moving to Washington, DC. In Washington, Shirley was able to make a career out of her love of politics by taking professional positions with the Carter/Mondale Re-election Campaign and the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. In 1987, Shirley opened her own business as a political research consultant specializing in opposition research.

Shirley and Robert traveled the world and shared a love of baseball with Shirley rooting for the Cubs and Robert cheering on the Cardinals. With the arrival of the Washington Nationals, they both gave up lifelong allegiance to their teams and became diehard Nats fans. When Shirley decided it was time to move to an assisted living facility, much of the decision was based on the ability to watch the Nationals.

Shirley lost Robert, the love of her life, in 2023. She is predeceased by her brother Verle.

Shirley is survived by her four daughters, Anna Beth Reid, Catherine Reid Jirik (Peter), Ann Lora Tedford and Jane Brand Walter (Darryl); four grandchildren, Ellen Beth Jirik Kaku (Diego),Kyle Walter, Lela Walter and Hannah Walter; and one great-granddaughter, Minori Catherine Jirik Kaku.

Shirley donated her body to the Georgetown University School of Medicine. A celebration of life will be held on October 5. Donations in Shirley’s memory may be made to the ACLU.