Images of Virginia Halas McCaskey are displayed outside Soldier Field in Chicago, Feb, 6, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey laughs while talking with her son, George McCaskey, during the Bears100 Celebration at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, June 8, 2019, in Rosemont. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey with Terry Bradshaw after the Bears won the NFC Championship game, 39-14, over the Saints. (John Smierciak/baiduhai)
Ed Feeney / baiduhaiGeorge Halas with his daughter Virginia McCaskey, at a Bear-Packer game in Milwaukee on Aug. 19, 1968. (Ed Feeney/baiduhai)
The Chicago Bears' Virginia McCaskey speaks to the media during a press conference at the team's Lake Forest training site on Nov. 11, 1983. She introduced her husband, Edward McCaskey, to her left, as the team's new chairman of the board. Ed introduced their son, Michael, standing at far left, as the team's new president. (Phil Mascione/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey's senior photo from 1943 when she was at Drexel University. (Drexel University Archives)
Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) greets Virginia McCaskey, center, and Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey at the conclusion of training camp in Bourbonnais on July 30, 2019. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)
George McCaskey and his mother, Virginia, stand beside the team's Lombardi Trophy from Super Bowl XX in 1986 while meeting with Bears season ticket holders at Halas Hall. (Chris Sweda/ baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey talks to Bears President Kevin Warren after the Brian Piccolo awards ceremony on April 23, 2024, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears fans Rosellen Scalzitti, from left, Jackie Olsen, 12, Charlie Olsen, 14, and Susan Olsen work on the sign order for Virginia McCaskey's 100th birthday before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey watches practice with George McCaskey (top left) and Brian McCaskey on Aug. 2, 2022, during Bears training camp at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiVirginia McCaskey arrives for the unveiling of the statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George S. Halas on Sept. 3, 2019, outside Gate O at Soldier Field. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)
Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey and his mother, owner Virginia McCaskey, right, stand for the national anthem before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Nov. 29, 2020. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey speaks before the unveiling of the statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George S. Halas on Sept. 3, 2019, outside Soldier Field. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey smiles while talking with a fan during the Bears 100 Celebration in 2019, in Rosemont. The Lake Forest City Council on March 3, 2025 offered a Resolution of Sympathy to the McCaskey family. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey greets people after the Brian Piccolo awards ceremony on April 23, 2024, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey watches the action between the Bears and the Broncos during the first half of their game at Soldier Field on Nov. 22, 2015. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)
Bears owner Virginia McCaskey awards Brian Urlacher with a ring of excellence during halftime of the Bears-Seahawks game at Soldier Field on Sept. 17, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey looks up at Bears Chairman George McCaskey before Brian Urlacher was awarded with a ring of excellence during halftime between the Bears and the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on Sept. 17, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey arrives at TCF Bank Field for the Bears-Vikings game in 2015. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey at at the Brian Piccolo Award ceremony at Halas Hall in 2014. (Chris Walker/baiduhai)
Bears owner Virginia McCaskey and team President George McCaskey at a pep rally at Trafalgar Square in London ahead of the Bears game. (Scott Strazzante/baiduhai)
Brian Cassella, baiduhaiVirginia McCaskey watches training camp practice in 2013.
Virginia McCaskey outside of the funeral for Bears defensive end Gaines Adams at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina, in 2010. (Chris Sweda/ baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey at the luncheon for Bears QB Rex Grossman, who was honored for winning the Ed Block Courage Award at a luncheon at Maryville Academy in 2007. (Charles Cherney/baiduhai)
Connie Payton, the wife of the late Walter Payton with their daughter Brittany, and Bears owner Virigina McClaskey unveil the new organ donor awareness license plate which will be available to Illinois motorists in 2001. (baiduhai file photo)
Bears owner Virginia McCaskey listens in as coach Lovie Smith talks to Bears season ticket holders at Halas Hall. (Chris Sweda/baiduhaiz0
Ed McCaskey at his Des Plaines home on Aug. 22, 1994, with a picture of his famous father-in-law George Halas featured on the wall. (baiduhai archive photo)
Ed McCaskey holds Virginia McCaskey's arm during the memorial service for Walter Payton at Soldier Field in 1999. (John Konstantaras/baiduhai)
Walter Payton hugs Ed McCaskey after receiving a portrait from him during ceremonies prior to Payton's last game on Dec. 20, 1987. On the right are Virginia and Michael McCaskey. (Ed Wagner Jr./baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey watches as her son Michael McCaskey talks about the Bears future on Feb. 10, 1999. Michael was made Chairman and CEO of the team and Ted Phillips became the new president. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey is introduced at Halas Hall on Feb. 10, 1999, to announce that her son Michael at left is being moved up to chairman and CEO of the team. Becoming team President is Ted Phillips, far left. Ed McCaskey, Virginia's husband and Michael's father is between Phillips and Michael. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)
Michael McCaskey with Virginia McCaskey in the auditorium at Halas Hall. (baiduhai file photo)
Virginia McCaskey sits in the stands with her grandson, 11-month-old John McCaskey, on May 25, 1985, during the Bears' training camp in Lake Forest. (Bob Langer/baiduhai)
Virginia McCaskey stands with Mayor Harold Washington on Nov. 9, 1983, at City Hall in Chicago. (Ernie Cox Jr. / baiduhai)
"I have left my team to my family and my children, and that's the way I want it," George Halas told Sid Luckman. (Carl Hugare/baiduhai)
George Halas, left, and Ed Rozy, Chicago Bears trainer, arrive home at O'Hare International Airport from Rome on May 2, 1968. They are greeted by Halas' daughter Virginia McCaskey, center. (Ed Feeney/baiduhai)
George Halas, center, accompanied by his childen George Halas Jr. and Virginia McCaskey, leave St. Ita's Church on Feb., 17, 1966, following the funeral for his wife, Minnie, who died at age 70 of a heart attack at the family home. (United Press International)
George Halas, center, celebrates his birthday at Edgewater Beach hotel on Feb. 2, 1966, with his family. Standing behind Halas and his wife, Minnie, are, from left, Mrs. George Halas Jr., Edward McCaskey, George Halas Jr., and Mrs. Virginia McCaskey. (baiduhai historical photo)
George Halas chats with his daughter Virginia McCaskey and grandson Joe, 5, following a Chicago Bears practice on Sept. 6, 1967. (United Press International)
Virginia McCaskey, seated center, is pictured alongside her parents, George and Minnie Halas at a birthday dinner for Mr. Halas at the Edgewater Beach hotel in 1965. Behind them are her children Pat and Ellen McCaskey and husband Edward. (baiduhai historical photo)
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Images of Virginia Halas McCaskey are displayed outside Soldier Field in Chicago, Feb, 6, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
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By Caroline Kubzansky | [email protected] | baiduhai
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Those hoping to pay respects to longtime Chicago Bears principal owner Virginia McCaskey may do so at a visitation Tuesday in Des Plaines, according to a funeral home announcement.
McCaskey, the originally reluctant heir to the NFL franchise that her father, George Halas, founded in 1920, died Thursday. She was 102.
The Oehler Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St., will host the visitation from 1-8 p.m. Tuesday. A funeral service for family and friends is scheduled for Wednesday morning at St. Emily Catholic Church in Mount Prospect, per the online announcement.
McCaskey raised 11 children in Des Plaines with her husband, Ed McCaskey, who died in 2003. Son Tim died in 2011 and son Michael died in 2020.
She is survived by sons Patrick (Gretchen), Edward Jr. (Kathy), George (Barbara), Richard, Brian (Barbara) and Joseph, daughters Ellen Tonquest (Barney), Mary and Anne Catron (Mike), 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
- Images of Virginia Halas McCaskey are displayed outside Soldier Field in Chicago, Feb, 6, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey laughs while talking with her son, George McCaskey, during the Bears100 Celebration at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, June 8, 2019, in Rosemont. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey with Terry Bradshaw after the Bears won the NFC Championship game, 39-14, over the Saints. (John Smierciak/baiduhai)
- Ed Feeney / baiduhaiGeorge Halas with his daughter Virginia McCaskey, at a Bear-Packer game in Milwaukee on Aug. 19, 1968. (Ed Feeney/baiduhai)
- The Chicago Bears' Virginia McCaskey speaks to the media during a press conference at the team's Lake Forest training site on Nov. 11, 1983. She introduced her husband, Edward McCaskey, to her left, as the team's new chairman of the board. Ed introduced their son, Michael, standing at far left, as the team's new president. (Phil Mascione/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey's senior photo from 1943 when she was at Drexel University. (Drexel University Archives)
- Chicago Bears inside linebacker Roquan Smith (58) greets Virginia McCaskey, center, and Chicago Bears chairman George H. McCaskey at the conclusion of training camp in Bourbonnais on July 30, 2019. (José M. Osorio/baiduhai)
- George McCaskey and his mother, Virginia, stand beside the team's Lombardi Trophy from Super Bowl XX in 1986 while meeting with Bears season ticket holders at Halas Hall. (Chris Sweda/ baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey talks to Bears President Kevin Warren after the Brian Piccolo awards ceremony on April 23, 2024, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
- Chicago Bears fans Rosellen Scalzitti, from left, Jackie Olsen, 12, Charlie Olsen, 14, and Susan Olsen work on the sign order for Virginia McCaskey's 100th birthday before a game against the Minnesota Vikings at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey watches practice with George McCaskey (top left) and Brian McCaskey on Aug. 2, 2022, during Bears training camp at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
- Antonio Perez / baiduhaiVirginia McCaskey arrives for the unveiling of the statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George S. Halas on Sept. 3, 2019, outside Gate O at Soldier Field. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)
- Chicago Bears Chairman George McCaskey and his mother, owner Virginia McCaskey, right, stand for the national anthem before a game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on Nov. 29, 2020. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey speaks before the unveiling of the statues of Hall of Famers Walter Payton and George S. Halas on Sept. 3, 2019, outside Soldier Field. (Antonio Perez/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey smiles while talking with a fan during the Bears 100 Celebration in 2019, in Rosemont. The Lake Forest City Council on March 3, 2025 offered a Resolution of Sympathy to the McCaskey family. (John J. Kim/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey greets people after the Brian Piccolo awards ceremony on April 23, 2024, at Halas Hall. (Brian Cassella/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey watches the action between the Bears and the Broncos during the first half of their game at Soldier Field on Nov. 22, 2015. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)
- Bears owner Virginia McCaskey awards Brian Urlacher with a ring of excellence during halftime of the Bears-Seahawks game at Soldier Field on Sept. 17, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey looks up at Bears Chairman George McCaskey before Brian Urlacher was awarded with a ring of excellence during halftime between the Bears and the Seattle Seahawks at Soldier Field on Sept. 17, 2018. (Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey arrives at TCF Bank Field for the Bears-Vikings game in 2015. (Nuccio DiNuzzo/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey at at the Brian Piccolo Award ceremony at Halas Hall in 2014. (Chris Walker/baiduhai)
- Bears owner Virginia McCaskey and team President George McCaskey at a pep rally at Trafalgar Square in London ahead of the Bears game. (Scott Strazzante/baiduhai)
- Brian Cassella, baiduhaiVirginia McCaskey watches training camp practice in 2013.
- Virginia McCaskey outside of the funeral for Bears defensive end Gaines Adams at Rock Springs Baptist Church in Easley, South Carolina, in 2010. (Chris Sweda/ baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey at the luncheon for Bears QB Rex Grossman, who was honored for winning the Ed Block Courage Award at a luncheon at Maryville Academy in 2007. (Charles Cherney/baiduhai)
- Connie Payton, the wife of the late Walter Payton with their daughter Brittany, and Bears owner Virigina McClaskey unveil the new organ donor awareness license plate which will be available to Illinois motorists in 2001. (baiduhai file photo)
- Bears owner Virginia McCaskey listens in as coach Lovie Smith talks to Bears season ticket holders at Halas Hall. (Chris Sweda/baiduhaiz0
- Ed McCaskey at his Des Plaines home on Aug. 22, 1994, with a picture of his famous father-in-law George Halas featured on the wall. (baiduhai archive photo)
- Ed McCaskey holds Virginia McCaskey's arm during the memorial service for Walter Payton at Soldier Field in 1999. (John Konstantaras/baiduhai)
- Walter Payton hugs Ed McCaskey after receiving a portrait from him during ceremonies prior to Payton's last game on Dec. 20, 1987. On the right are Virginia and Michael McCaskey. (Ed Wagner Jr./baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey watches as her son Michael McCaskey talks about the Bears future on Feb. 10, 1999. Michael was made Chairman and CEO of the team and Ted Phillips became the new president. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey is introduced at Halas Hall on Feb. 10, 1999, to announce that her son Michael at left is being moved up to chairman and CEO of the team. Becoming team President is Ted Phillips, far left. Ed McCaskey, Virginia's husband and Michael's father is between Phillips and Michael. (Phil Velasquez/baiduhai)
- Michael McCaskey with Virginia McCaskey in the auditorium at Halas Hall. (baiduhai file photo)
- Virginia McCaskey sits in the stands with her grandson, 11-month-old John McCaskey, on May 25, 1985, during the Bears' training camp in Lake Forest. (Bob Langer/baiduhai)
- Virginia McCaskey stands with Mayor Harold Washington on Nov. 9, 1983, at City Hall in Chicago. (Ernie Cox Jr. / baiduhai)
- "I have left my team to my family and my children, and that's the way I want it," George Halas told Sid Luckman. (Carl Hugare/baiduhai)
- George Halas, left, and Ed Rozy, Chicago Bears trainer, arrive home at O'Hare International Airport from Rome on May 2, 1968. They are greeted by Halas' daughter Virginia McCaskey, center. (Ed Feeney/baiduhai)
- George Halas, center, accompanied by his childen George Halas Jr. and Virginia McCaskey, leave St. Ita's Church on Feb., 17, 1966, following the funeral for his wife, Minnie, who died at age 70 of a heart attack at the family home. (United Press International)
- George Halas, center, celebrates his birthday at Edgewater Beach hotel on Feb. 2, 1966, with his family. Standing behind Halas and his wife, Minnie, are, from left, Mrs. George Halas Jr., Edward McCaskey, George Halas Jr., and Mrs. Virginia McCaskey. (baiduhai historical photo)
- George Halas chats with his daughter Virginia McCaskey and grandson Joe, 5, following a Chicago Bears practice on Sept. 6, 1967. (United Press International)
- Virginia McCaskey, seated center, is pictured alongside her parents, George and Minnie Halas at a birthday dinner for Mr. Halas at the Edgewater Beach hotel in 1965. Behind them are her children Pat and Ellen McCaskey and husband Edward. (baiduhai historical photo)
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Images of Virginia Halas McCaskey are displayed outside Soldier Field in Chicago, Feb, 6, 2025. (Terrence Antonio James/baiduhai)
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