Once upon a time, Virginia McCaskey inherited memorabilia from a cousin, a collection that included a box of old ticket stubs. In it, she said, was a torn admittance to the NFL’s 1932 championship game between the Chicago Bears and Portsmouth Spartans.

Virginia McCaskey was at the center of it all. She was the true matriarch of the organization. On Thursday, the NFL world learned of her passing at the age of 102. She lived about as good of a life as a human being can ask for.

Virginia McCaskey, who inherited the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, but avoided the spotlight during four-plus decades as principal owner, has died.

The Super Bowl held a moment of silence Sunday in tribute to Chicago Bears owner Virginia Halas McCaskey, who died last week at age 102.

McCaskey has been the team's principal owner since 1983, when her father and team founder George S. Halas died.

McCaskey died on Thursday at the age of 102 years old, and the National Football League lost one of its enduring figures.

Virginia Halas McCaskey was thrust into role as principal owner of the Chicago Bears after the deaths of her brother and father.

Virginia McCaskey, who inherited the Chicago Bears from her father, George Halas, and largely avoided the spotlight during four-plus decades as principal owner, died Feb. 6 at 102. Mrs. McCaskey’s family announced the death but did not provide more details.

Chicago Bears principal owner Virginia Halas McCaskey has died at 102, the team announced on Thursday.