Verda "Juanita" McCaffrey, 98, passed away Thursday, April 23, 2026, at her home in Springfield, Illinois.

Juanita was born in Lufkin, Texas on January 17, 1928, to William Arthur and Lillian Mae (Cranford) Hopson. She was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers, William Arthur Jr. "W.A.," Sebron Orin "Bill," and Edward Bennett "Bud." Juanita married William Roderick McCaffrey Jr. on September 5, 1949, in Hackensack, NJ, who also preceded her in death.

Juanita graduated from the University of Missouri and was an avid Mizzou football fan. A longtime member of The Rail Golf Course, Juanita loved to hit the links and play bridge with her wide circle of friends. She also loved a good "who done it" mystery book, doing jigsaw puzzles, and working the New York Times crossword every Sunday.

After retiring from Wiley Office Equipment, Juanita volunteered as a docent at the Old State Capitol and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library. Continuing her legacy of volunteerism, she also affected positive change while working tirelessly for AARP of Illinois, lobbying for seniors' rights, as well as advocating for the safety of children through Prevent Child Abuse Illinois.

Wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Juanita is survived by her daughter, Terry Kramzar, her son, Bill McCaffrey and her daughter, Denise McCaffrey; six grandchildren, Caitlin Miller, Tyler Kramzar, Kira Kramzar, Tanner Kramzar, Jarin McCaffrey, and Keyan McCaffrey; and six great-grandchildren.

The family will remember Juanita with a private Celebration of Life observance.