VIRGINIA IRENE McCAULEY

Virginia Irene McCauley, 87, died at her home Sunday, January 9th, 2011. Irene chose to enter eternity in the way she lived her life—strong, in-control, and with her trademark wit and wisdom, determined to ease the pain of her leaving.

Irene was born January 21, 192 to Richard and Claire Bailey Spencer in Superior, Ohio. She attended Ironton High School. On August 14, 1942, Irene married First Lieutenant Carroll McCauley, in Sebring, Florida. Mr. McCauley, a pilot in World War II, was preparing to fly to England. (Lt. McCauley had just finished making the movie, Bombardiers, with Clark Gable.) On May 13, 1943, Lt. McCauley, the lead pilot for the squadron, was shot down over Kiel, Germany during the daylight bombing raids of the German submarine factories. Irene lost her husband two months before the birth of her only child, Carroll Lee McCauley, Jr. While Lt. McCauley was selected to represent the war dead of Ohio in Arlington National Cemetery, Irene refused this honor, opting instead to have him buried in Ironton. She wanted to be buried next to him when that time came.

Irene never remarried. A Telephone Pioneer and member of the United Communication Worker of America, she supported her son, Carroll, as a single parent with great thrift and determination. Irene's life was devoted to Carroll. They took the bus together to Ashland, KY or Huntington, WV on the weekends to see a movie. They took the train to Virginia Beach most summers for a vacation and once even weathering a hurricane together at the Boardwalk Hotel. When Carroll was ten years old, Irene and Carroll had to forego their vacation. They spent the summer together walking the picket line around the telephone company building. Together they walked and talked, and Carroll learned. Until Carroll was 15 years old, Irene didn't drive. When Carroll started learning to drive Irene signed up for lessons, too. Irene moved to Florida more than thirty years ago. For those thirty years, including the day she transitioned to heaven, Irene reserved lunch for Carroll. It was a time to debate politics, news, and family issues. Irene was never without an opinion nor timid about sharing it.

Irene was preceded in death by her mother and father and her four siblings, Wilbur, Margaret, Gene, and Helen. She is survived by many who will miss her deeply. Surviving family members include: son, Carroll and his wife Cynthia; niece, Linda Mc Knight and her husband, Rick, and their son, Chad; nephew, Rich and his wife, Shaun, and their son, Patrick; seven grandchildren and their spouses: Melissa and her husband, Chuck; Carroll III, Kurt and his wife, Katey, Chad and his wife, Tracy, Mike and his wife, Ann, Crystal, Sarah and her husband, Tom. There are also twelve surviving great-grandchildren: Krista, August, Karl, Elsa, Gretyl, Paul, Carroll IV, Isaac, Eloise, George, Norah, and Keegan.

The family is grateful to the many friends who enriched her live throughout the years. Deep appreciation is extended to her granddaughter, Crystal and niece, Linda, who became her guiding lights as her life dimmed.

The family will receive friends on Wednesday, January 12th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. at Wilson Funeral Home. Memories may be shared at www.wilsonfuneralhome.net. In lieu of flowers please make donations to your favorite charity.
Funeral services will be held at Phillips Funeral Home in Ironton, Ohio on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 11:00 AM. Graveside services will follow as Irene is laid to rest next to her husband, Carroll, in the Woodland Cemetery, in Ironton, OH.

Wilson Funeral Home