Visitation Details Announced for Virginia McCaskey, Longtime Bears Owner
Funeral Services Scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday
The family of Virginia Halas McCaskey announced details of the longtime Chicago Bears owner’s visitation services after she died Thursday at the age of 102.
McCaskey is the longest-tenured NFL owner, taking over ownership of the Bears following the passing of her father and team founder, George S. Halas, on Oct. 31, 1983.
Visitation Services
McCaskey’s visitation services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 1-8 p.m. at Oehler Funeral Home at 2099 Miner Street in Des Plaines.
Funeral Mass and Private Entombment
A funeral mass for family and friends will be held the following day ahead of a private entombment, according to family.
Farewell Statements from the Family and NFL Commissioner
“While we are sad, we are comforted knowing Virginia Halas McCaskey lived a long, full, faith-filled life and is now with the love of her life on earth,” the family said in a statement. “She guided the Bears for four decades and based every business decision on what was best for Bears players, coaches, staff and fans.”
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell also released a statement, saying, “Virginia Halas McCaskey, the matriarch of the Chicago Bears and daughter of George Halas, the founder of the NFL, leaves a legacy of class, dignity, and humanity. Faith, family, and football – in that order – were her north stars and she lived by the simple adage to always ‘do the right thing,’” Goodell said. “The Bears that her father started meant the world to her and he would be proud of the way she continued the family business with such dedication and passion. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the McCaskey and Halas families and Bears fans around the world.”
A Life of Devotion to Faith, Family, and Football
Born in 1923, McCaskey was raised in the premier football family, as her father George Halas both founded the Bears and the NFL. Halas was a player, coach and owner for the Bears and ran the team from its inception until his death in 1983. McCaskey has been the principal owner ever since, although her son Michael took over as team chairman in 1999, then another son George took the helm in 2011.
McCaskey was a devout Catholic and always reflected on what God would want her to do in daily life. She focused on trying to help encourage people to be better to one another and once stated she was always working on her faith through good times and bad.
Community Service and Legacy
McCaskey recognized difficult and unpopular decisions sometimes had to be made but trusted that conviction would guide all those involved through difficult times. She watched first-hand as the league started from a struggling sports business to America’s most popular sport, valuing her family’s friendships with other team owners.
At the core of everything she did was McCaskey’s faith. She always reflected on what God would want her to do in daily life. She focused on trying to help encourage people to be better to one another and once stated she was always working on her faith through good times and bad.
Her commitment to the betterment of the Chicagoland community can be seen through the establishment of the Bears Care program in 2005. Since that time, Bears Care has issued grants totaling more than $31.5 million to 225 qualifying agencies to improve the quality of life for people in the Chicagoland community, especially disadvantaged children and their families, through targeted programs supporting education, youth athletics and medical research and health awareness programs focusing on breast and ovarian cancer.
Surviving Family Members
Mrs. McCaskey had 11 children, eight sons and three daughters. She is survived by her sons – Patrick (Gretchen), Edward Jr. (Kathy), George (Barbara), Richard, Brian (Barbara) and Joseph – and daughters Ellen (Barney) Tonquest, Mary and Anne (Mike) Catron. Her husband passed away in 2003. Their son, Timothy, passed in 2011 and Michael passed in 2020. She is also survived by 21 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren and four great-great-grandchildren.
Conclusion
Virginia McCaskey leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, and football. Her commitment to the Chicago Bears and the community will never be forgotten. Her passing is a great loss, but her memory will live on through the countless lives she touched and the impact she had on the city of Chicago and the NFL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will the visitation services be held?
A: Visitation services will be held on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 1-8 p.m. at Oehler Funeral Home at 2099 Miner Street in Des Plaines.
Q: What is the funeral mass schedule?
A: A funeral mass for family and friends will be held on Wednesday, following the visitation services.
Q: Is the entombment private?
A: Yes, the entombment will be private.
Q: What is Bears Care?
A: Bears Care is a program established by the McCaskey family to improve the quality of life for people in the Chicagoland community, especially disadvantaged children and their families, through targeted programs supporting education, youth athletics and medical research and health awareness programs focusing on breast and ovarian cancer.
