Elise (Posy) Woodcock Pettigrew

With a heavy heart, we announce the sudden passing of Posy Pettigrew (78) on January 11, 2025. She succumbed to an acute case of Type A flu and left her worldly place quietly while among family. We cherished having known her, enjoyed her laugh and experienced a person gifted in interacting with people of all walks, having fun, and giving back to make this a better place.

Born and raised in Corvallis, OR, she graduated from Oregon State University (1968) with a degree in English education. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Arizona where she eventually met and married Steve, her husband of 38 years. 

Professionally, Posy trained and became a pulmonary technician at Good Samaritan Hospital. She moved on to St. Luke’s Hospital where she ran their pulmonary lab. The volunteer facet of her life began when she became a Phoenix Soroptimist Sister. While at St. Luke’s, she transferred to the Volunteer Services Department to become the coordinator for the Luke’s Men. There she helped organize the prestigious Hon Kachina Volunteer Awards program cosponsored by KPNX TV and the Luke’s Men. It energized her personal dedication to being involved. When she left St. Luke’s, she went back to Samaritan Health Services as marketing director for the Center for Facial Restoration. Retirement soon followed and she turned her energy to fun and her favorite charities.

Her two major pastimes – golf and horses – came to the forefront. She dedicated the next 20 years of her life to those pastimes. She learned how to couple her love of golf with her volunteer orientation and quickly mastered the art of staging fund-raising golf tournaments for her favorite non-profits. She plied those talents for Chandler Historical Society, Samaritan LPGA Turquoise Classic, Hospice of the Valley, and the Dave Thomas Foundation’s San Juan (NM) Pro-Am Open. She was active in the San Marcos Ladies Golf Association.

Her love of horses started during her formative years growing up in Corvallis – spare time was spent on the back of a horse. In Chandler, she became owner of two steeds – a paint named Tino and a thoroughbred named Cagey. She made many a ride around town with her cowgirl friends, and actively participated on rides with the Saddle Wenches, just for fun. Posy and Steve acquired a cabin on horse property in Heber, AZ, which afforded her the opportunity for 15 years to spend the summers in White Mountains, with her two horses right outside the back door. Day rides through the forests were commonplace. She spent one vacation riding the continental divide for five days outside of Creede, CO. She was so fortunate over the years to meet wonderful people because of her horses and those experiences formed bonds of friendship for which she was forever grateful.

A final thought, although never a fleeting one for Posy, revolves around her “old house” at San Marcos. The house was built in 1929, she was the fourth owner and had hoped to live there to celebrate its 100th year. Hardly a day would go by where she did not say how much she loved her old house – a one-of-kind hacienda with a golf course as her back yard, a quiet but friendly neighborhood, lots of fine people and in retrospect, countless good times, and fond memories. The Chandler Historical Society and its longtime membership appreciated Posy’s dedication to preserving and sharing it.

Soon, there will be a celebration of life to honor Posy. Specifics will be posted once final arrangements have been made.