Virginia "Ginger" McCall

Virginia (Ginger) McCall died peacefully on February 27, 2026, at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, IL. She was born on April 27, 1931, to Clarence and Georgia (Smith) Kohler in Minneapolis, MN.  She earned a BA in political science from Macalester College in 1953 and then worked at the Counseling Bureau at the University of MN, where she met John (Jack) McCall. They were married in 1954.  Ginger and Jack brought their children Carolyn, Todd, and Elizabeth (Libby) to Edwardsville, IL, in 1965 when Jack became a professor of psychology at Southern Illinois University.  Ginger earned her master’s degree in psychology from SIUE in 1968.

Ginger participated fully in community affairs in the Edwardsville area for the rest of her life, joining the League of Women Voters early on and serving in its leadership positions; helping to get recycling operations and waste reduction efforts started in Edwardsville; helping establish the Edwardsville Library Friends (ELFs) and serving as president for several years; serving on the centennial celebration committee for the N.O. Nelson Manufacturing Company and creation of the Village of Leclaire and establishing The Friends of Leclaire.  One of her signature achievements was her tenure on Edwardsville’s Human Relations Commission starting in 1986, during which time the Commission was given responsibility for making a change to the portrayal of an African American person on the city’s historical mural in 1989.  She and Jack were long-time members of the First Unitarian Church in Alton. Each served on the church board, including stints as president.  In addition, they gave generously to a wide range of causes.

In spite of a lifelong hearing loss, Ginger had a love of classical music. She studied violin and played in school orchestras plus the SIUE orchestra in its early years. She also served on the music curriculum review committee for District 7 that resulted in the establishment of a string music program.

Ginger and Jack became enthusiastic birdwatchers and were heavily involved with local Audubon chapters and Sierra Club, culminating in their support of the founding and development of Watershed Nature Center in Edwardsville.  Ginger was instrumental in getting a bird blind and bubbler built in 2017 at Watershed in honor of Jack.

Ginger and Jack maintained contacts with a wide range of family and friends across the country and around the world. They travelled to Britain and Europe, New Zealand, Australia, Central America, Hawaii and Alaska for sightseeing and enjoying nature.

Despite chronic back pain, Ginger continued being physically active to strengthen herself. She had an indoor therapeutic swimming pool at their home. She continued her swims at Meridian Village retirement complex, where she and Jack moved in 2012 before his 2015 death.  She enjoyed social activities at Meridian, where she helped found the Green Team (promoting waste reduction and recycling activities). She also enjoyed book club, playing bridge, and family visits.

Ginger was preceded in death by her infant sister Karolyn, her parents, her infant granddaughter Bryony Meyer, her husband Jack, and her daughter-in-law Jude. She is survived by her brother John Kohler; children Carolyn Catalano (Joe), Libby Levin and Todd McCall; grandchildren Erik Meyer, Nora Gutman, Ryan (Lisa) Tarazi and Andrea (Drew) Blaske; great-grandchildren Pura Larson, Tommy Gutman, Adrian and Gabriel Benavides and a great-granddaughter expected soon; a great-great grandchild Violet Larson; and many nieces and nephews. Ginger donated her body to the Saint Louis University School of Medicine. Memorials to Watershed’s Nature Preserve Foundation (PO Box 843, Edwardsville, IL, 62025) are appreciated. A memorial celebration of her life will be held in Meridian Village’s Club Room (27 Auerbach Pl., Glen Carbon, IL 62034) Sat. June 13, 2026, at 1 pm (doors open at 12). Condolences may be shared online at weberfuneralhome.com

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