Virginia McCaskey preferred the role of cheerleader and caretaker of the Chicago Bears to that of power broker. But nobody made a major decision without first consulting her.

NFL teams shared their tributes to Bears matriarch Virginia McCaskey, who passed away Thursday at the age of 102.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — 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. She was 102. McCaskey’s family announced through the team that she died Thursday. She had owned the Bears since her father’s death on Oct. 31, 1983.