Virginia McIlroy

Virginia McIlroy departed this life Sunday morning, February 25, 2007 while in Hospice care at Three Fountains. Virginia was born August 14, 1914 in Bumpus Mills, Tenn. the daughter of Robert and Rose Elizabeth Jeffress. Virginia, known to her friends as Ginny, attended schools in both Tennessee and Kentucky until they family moved to southern California in 1928. In 1930 she met and married Harold McIlroy. They stayed in the Anaheim area until after the birth of their daughter, Patricia Rose in May of 1933. Harold was an engineer in the fledgling aircraft industry. In the mid-30's they moved to Glendale, and in 1939 built a home in Burbank where they remained until 1956. During the second World War, Harold was an engineer for Hughes Aircraft, and afterward formed Roylyn Inc. to manufacture and market the Roylyn Quick coupling used in air to air refueling. After the sale of the company and early retirement in the late 50's, Ginny and Harold, always known as Mack, moved to Lakeport on Clear Lake in Northern California to be close to their daughter and two granddaughters, Carolyn and Tammy.

Ginny was an accomplished seamstress, and also studied design and pattern drafting. She made literally hundreds of garments for her family, all with an artist's eye for detail. They remained in Lakeport for 20 years and then moved to Palm Desert so Ginny could study and pursue her interest in art. She was a member of the Shadow Mountain Palette Club while there, and after moving to Medford in 1985 continued to study with Carl Seyboldt for several years. Harold passed away in May of 1988 at the age of 77.

Mack and Ginny loved to travel; they made two trips to Alaska and toured the United States from coast to coast in the VW camper bus. Mack and Ginny had over 30 years of retirement to enjoy together.

Virginia is survived by daughter, Patricia Harris and her husband, Cal of Medford; granddaughters, Carolyn Cannon of Gold Hill and Tammy Kirkpatrick of White City; five great-grandchildren (Mandy Katasse, Jamie Cannon, Mari Jeffries, Carl Kirkpatrick, Jr. & Kari Kirkpatrick) and seven great-great-grandchildren (Emily, Steven and Ashley Jeffries, Tyler, Kimberly & Samantha Kirkpatrick and Kai Kirkpatrick). Her sister, Gay Cawthorne of Medford also survives. She was preceded in death by her parents and four brothers.