A copy editor's copy editor, that was Virginia Brintlinger Willey

Readers of the Daily Herald turn to the Neighbor section for local features and event coverage, never seeing the team of copy editors who work behind the scenes to lay out the stories and photos, and edit the copy.

Virginia Brintlinger Willey was one those copy editors.

She edited stories in the Neighbor section for more than 20 years before retiring in 2006. She passed away May 28 in Williamsburg, VA, where she and her husband had settled. Willey was 78.

Willey brought an unusual background with her when she joined the copy desk in 1984. She lived in Barrington, and had taught English and journalism at Barrington High School before staying home to raise her three children.

When she re-entered the workforce she returned to her roots in journalism, but brought with her a sense of the Barrington community.

Rick Klicki, who now directs content for the Daily Herald's business products, including the Business Ledger, started on the copy desk with Willey.

"Her command of the English language and her experience as a teacher really shined," Klicki said. "She was a meticulous copy editor who was great at catching the small details that would be missed by more content-oriented editors.

"She was one of the 'go-to' local experts for the editorial staff," Klicki added, "who could answer detailed questions about anything related to the Northwest suburbs, like the correct spelling of Kirchhoff Road, for example."

Pam Baert, news editor of Neighbor, worked alongside of Willey during her early years on the desk.

"She was our go-to copy editor for grammar," Baert said. "In fact, when she retired, she 'willed' me her Warriner's English Grammar and Composition book, which I have on my desk and often use."

Neil Holdway, news editor, said he too gained his footing on the desk working with Willey.

"For us, she was an expert not just in English and headlines but in the very fabric of the core Northwest suburban communities we were covering," Holdway said.

When Willey and her husband, Allan, retired to Williamsburg, she volunteered in Colonial Williamsburg and served up her writing and editing skills as the secretary for the Woman's Club of Williamsburg.

Her co-workers reflect that it has been nine years since Willey worked with them, but her influence on them remains.

"No matter how tough or stressful things got, she would always have that smile and a completely positive outlook on things," Klicki said. "She respected the craft of journalism, and she also had courtesy and respect for everyone she worked with."

Services have been held.