Windward School to Host Memorial and Celebration in Honor of Co-Founder

Windward School Co-Founder Shirley Windward passed away Oct. 31 from natural causes at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center. She was 93.

Windward School will hold a ‘Remembrance & Celebration of Shirley Windward’ on Sun. Nov. 11 at 3:30 p.m. in the school’s Lewis Jackson Memorial Sports Center followed by a reception on the school’s Leichtman-Levine Bridge.

The school will also hold an event from 6-7:30 p.m. the same evening for people to come together and share stories and memories of Shirley Windward.

Windward School issued the following obituary:

Shirley Della Weimar was born in Washington D.C. on January 10, 1919, the eldest of three sisters raised by her parents, Della Jost and Albert Weimar. In the years after the First World War and the Great Depression, the family moved from state to state to accommodate Albert’s job opportunities, eventually settling in Wisconsin. During Shirley’s formative high school years, she discovered a skill and passion for storytelling that would come to define her life.

Active in her high school newspaper and exploring a budding love for poetry, she moved on to the University of Wisconsin, which she would later describe as “the delight of my life, a breath of fresh air, the open door – all the grand clichés put together.” During her college years, she not only earned her bachelor’s degree in English, but also met the love of her life, Erwin “Erv” Windward, whom she married in 1942.

The years during and after World War II brought great change in the lives of the young couple; Erv’s naval service required several moves around the country and Shirley gave birth to sons Stephen and Rolfe. Several post-war years were spent in Colorado Springs as Erv pursued a musical career and Shirley continued her own studies at Colorado College. The Windward family settled in Santa Monica in the late 40’s with UCLA as a newfound anchor in their lives. There, Erv began teaching in the music department and Shirley pursued her studies in teaching, eventually receiving a Master’s degree in English.

Over the years, the couple immersed themselves in the culture of Los Angeles, carving out a niche with a circle of friends who shared their mutual love of learning and the arts. For 10 years, Shirley Windward taught English at Paul Revere Junior High School, inspiring students with her trademark curiosity, wit, and affection. A young colleague, Carl Parsons, shared not only her joy for teaching, but also her deep belief in recognizing the importance of each student’s gifts, hopes, and dreams.

In the changing educational climes of the early 1970’s, several independent schools opened on the Westside of Los Angeles. Each offered different options and approaches that were based on contemporary thought and the latest innovations in pedagogical practice. With shared vision, Shirley and Carl sought to establish a new school that would instill the joy of learning in every child. From its inception, Windward School was created to provide a dynamic educational program to students in a caring and nurturing environment.

After introducing their ideas to local families and securing space in a small building on Wilshire Boulevard in Santa Monica for the new campus, Shirley and Carl opened Windward School in the fall of 1971 with an inaugural group of 68 students. Three years later, the School received its first, full six-year accreditation as a college-preparatory institution from the California Association of Independent Schools (CAIS) and the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).

A woman of inexhaustible enthusiasm and insight, Shirley would work at Windward School in numerous capacities as an English teacher, counselor, and Trustee for over 40 years. She also served as a mentor and colleague to those pursuing educational innovation in Los Angeles, providing counsel and support to founders of other independent schools.

Her achievements in the field of education were complemented by her boundless capacity for storytelling, zest for world travel, and eclectic love of music.

A widely-recognized poet since the 1960’s, she published numerous volumes of verse, wrote novels, and performed recitations of her work in a variety of public venues.

After her retirement, she remained a frequent presence at Windward School, often visiting campus to attend events, speak to classes, and spend time with adoring students. For many years, she composed a new poem for each class of Windward’s graduates, a tradition she continued for the Class of 2012. In the weeks before her passing, Shirley participated in the School’s Homecoming festivities, greeting both the youngest students as well as multi-generational families that had been touched by her pioneering educational vision.

Windward is survived by several family members including her husband, Erwin, sons Stephen and Rolfe, and sisters Nan Weimar Keenan and Kay Heckel.

Interested attendees for Sunday’s event should be aware that parking is limited on campus and people are encouraged to arrive early. In addition to the Windward campus, the school has arranged for off-site parking and shuttle service from the following locations (click on the link to see the Google maps).

 Windward School, 11350 Palms Blvd.

Sepulveda Center at 3415 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Richland Elementary at 11562 Richland Ave.

Albertsons at 3443 S. Sepulveda Blvd.

Ralphs at 11361 National Blvd. (Please park on the west side of Ralphs ONLY.)

Shuttle service will run continuously, but please allow at least 20 minutes to travel via shuttle to the school.

Those who cannot attend the event in person can watch the live stream of Sunday's celebration on the Windward website at www.windwardschool.org/shirley, leave messages for Shirley at www.windwardschool.org/shirley, or attend another event throughout the year.