Irene H. McGinty, age 99, of Bear Creek passed away Sunday, August 21, 2016 at her home.
The former Irene Hazel Norrish was born on May 18, 1917 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin to Walter and Hazel (Lokin) Norrish. She was raised in Eau Claire and graduated from Memorial High School. Irene was united in marriage in 1937 to Leo J. McGinty in Eau Claire. The couple settled in the Bear Creek area where she lived most of her life. She worked as a cook with the Bear Creek School District for over 20 years from the early 1960s to the 1980s. Irene was an active member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bear Creek, where she was involved with the PCCW in all sorts of activities and she volunteered with the Rummage Room. In her younger years, she enjoyed going fishing and playing golf. Irene’s other interests included trips to the casino and playing cards, especially sheepshead, pinochle, or rummy. She also liked to crochet and made Christmas ornaments and other keepsakes for her family. Irene loved being a homemaker and will be remembered most as a devoted wife, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother.
Survivors include her six children, Mary Skourtis of Menasha, John (special friend Joanne Reinke) McGinty of Bear Creek, Margaret McDaniel of Menasha, Tom (Sandra) McGinty of Placentia, CA, Leo (Lynn) McGinty of Bear Creek, and Dan (Lori) McGinty of River Falls. There are 12 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-granddaughter. There are two sisters, Anna Cass and Margaret Jacobson, both of Eau Claire. She is further survived by one sister-in-law, Lorraine Norrish of Eau Claire, and many other relatives and friends. Irene is preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Leo; two sons-in-law, Anastassios Skourtis and Ronald McDaniel; two sisters, Ruth (Curly) Andres and Jenny (Norb) Kirk; two brothers, Earl Norrish and Frank (Nellie) Norrish; and two brothers-in-law, Clyde Cass and Kermit Jacobson.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 26th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bear Creek. Fr. John “Jack” Mullarkey will officiate and burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends may call on Friday from 9:00 a.m. until time of mass at the church. The Beil-Didier Funeral Home, Clintonville, is assisting the family.
The family wishes to thank all the nurses with ThedaCare at Home Hospice for compassionate care provided. We also wish to thank Fr. Jack and Dec. Lincoln for all their prayers and support to take care of mom’s spiritual needs.