Virginia Pauline Irish

Virginia Pauline Irish was born to Neal and Ruth (Baker) Gray on September 3,1924 in a logging camp in Lily, WI. She was delivered by her Grandfather, Dr. John Baker, on that snowy day. Virginia was a graduate of Antigo High School class of 1942. Soon after graduation she eloped with Robert Irish to Chicago, Illinois. They married on July 15th and settled in Chicago until Bob was drafted into the Army for a WWII assignment that took him to the front lines in the Phillipines. Many love letters kept Ginny and their baby, Dawn, faithfully waiting at her father's farm for his return. He did return. An answer to her prayers. Together, they lovingly raised their 3 children, now Dawn (Dee) Dailey, Joe (Lucy) Irish and Dixie (Larry) Messer in Kempster, Wisconsin after a time in a logging camp in Dubois, Wyoming. Ginny's gift was hospitality. Preparing meals for family and friends and caring for them, when the need arose, was her joy. And, Oh, how good were her pies and her fried chicken, potato salad and baked beans. Attending church, to learn more about her Lord and praise Him, was a priority for Virginia. She held the position of Sunday school superintendent at the little Congregational church in Kempster. Her faith in Christ was real. She loved to travel with her husband, Bob, but she wanted to be in her own bed at night and she had an enormous sense of humor. Ginny always said that her grandchildren were more important than the president as she served them Tab in her beautiful china cups at 5 AM. Each one knew that Grandma's love was real, no matter what. She was blessed with nine grandchildren, 22 great grandchildren and two great greats. She always enjoyed the pink and white petunias that she planted, bordering her house in Kempster each summer. Ginny left so many wonderful, sweet and funny memories for her family to cherish. Virginia entered into the presence of her Lord on Tuesday, August 10 at almost 97 years old. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, her son in law, Dee Dailey, her two brothers, Henry and Vern Gray and three sisters, Eva, Bonnie, and Peggy. Her sister, Alma Risdon, survives. Virginia's funeral will take place at Strassser-Roller Funeral Home, 504 Edison St. Antigo, WI on Monday, August 16, 2021 at 11:30 AM. A visitation will take place prior to the service beginning at 10 AM. Interment will follow the service at Kempster Cemetery.