Margaret Joan “Posey” Bauer of Rotonda West passed away on November 22, 2025, in her home surrounded by her loving children. She was born on October 24, 1933 to William Joseph Flowers and Hilda Mary (Baker) Flowers in McClure, Ohio, and graduated as valedictorian from Deshler High School in Deshler, Ohio in 1951. She graduated from Mercy School of Nursing in 1954 and worked in both Mercy Hospital and Toledo Hospital in Toledo, Ohio.

Posey married Robert Michael Bauer on November 26, 1955, in Toledo, Ohio. Robert preceded her in death in 2007. They raised five children: Michael, of St. Simon's Island, GA; Steven (Stephanie) of Lithia, FL; Patricia (James) Morale of Pittsford, VT; Mary (Curtis, deceased) Schuh of Tripp, SD; and Roberta (Robert) Gilland of Tampa, FL.

In 1974, Bob and Posey moved their family to Bradenton, Florida. Posey worked as an orthopedic nurse at Blake Memorial Hospital for twelve years, and later for the Manatee County School Board where she was honored to be the first nurse at the Joe Berta Bullock School for children with disabilities (later known as Orange Ridge Bullock School). She nursed high-need special education students until her retirement in 1998.

In 1999 Posey and Bob moved to Rotonda West. Posey was a devoted member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church where she coordinated the blood pressure program for many years, then later served as coordinator of the Arimatheans. She was active in the parish Women’s Guild where she served as communication chairman, and was a member of the Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary where she served as president from 2017 - 2018. She also volunteered at the Englewood-Charlotte Library, participated in Friends of the Library, and was a charter member of the Englewood Genealogy Society.

Posey was deeply committed to community service through the GFWC Rotonda West Woman's Club and served as their president from 2008 - 2010. Posey was an enthusiastic crafter and talented seamstress; she   earned a first-place ribbon for her handmade doll entry in the GFWC state-wide contest. An avid reader, Posey belonged to the Epsilon Sigma Omicron Book Club of the GFWC, and she recently received her certificate for completing 1000 books. She was the pianist for the GFWC Tonettes choral group where she coordinated many lively and cheerful memories for both the Tonettes and their audiences, filling rehearsals and performances with energy and joy. She was a member of Friends and Neighbors, serving as president from 2011 to 2013.

Posey is survived by her five above-named children and their spouses, along with “adopted” son John Donahay. She leaves thirteen grandchildren: Nicole Starbuck; Megan Hale; Heather Caroll; Chad, Blake, Reed and Logan Bauer; Anna, Amy and Kristen Morale; Trey and Alexa Gilland; Shelby Schuh, Alena Vasher and Tiffany Zoerner. She leaves thirteen great-grandchildren: Declan, Dylan and Donavan Hale; Claire, Benjamin and William Starbuck; Charlotte and Hudson Bauer; Madison Schuh, Curtis and Mitchell Vasher, Tiernan and Tyndall McMenamin; and many nieces and nephews.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Francis of Assisi Church on Saturday, January 3, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with a luncheon to follow. Her cremated remains will be interred in the St. Francis of Assisi Memorial Garden alongside Bob. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Memorial Scholarship Fund of the GFWC Rotonda West Woman's Club toward a Nursing Scholarship honoring Posey’s life of care, compassion and service.