Shirley Ingalls Thackara

Shirley Ingalls Thackara, retired business executive, military pilot, and long-time resident of Carmel, died on July 24, 2015 at the age of 96. The daughter of Marjorie Riegel and Roscoe C. Ingalls, she was raised in Pelham, NY and later worked for Steuben Glass in Manhattan. In 1943, after completing her flight training, she became a member of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II and served until they were deactivated near the end of the war. After the war, she returned to New York City and to Steuben Glass where she became their Assistant Director of Sales. In 1955, she married James J. Thackara (Jim) with whom she had two children. In 2010, she and the other WASP members were awarded the Congressional Gold Medal in honor of their service.

While she spent many of her years on the east coast, life led her to California more than once. During WWII, she was stationed for a time near Half Moon Bay. While there, she towed target aircraft for the shore-based gunneries to practice on. From 1947 to 1949, she lived in San Francisco and was the Western Supervisor for Elmo Roper. Finally, in 1990, she and Jim retired to Carmel where they spent many happy years together playing golf and traveling the west.

She is survived by a son John, a daughter Lucy Kennedy, and two grandchildren Claire and Patrick Kennedy.

Services will be held at the Huguenot Memorial Church in Pelham, NY on August 15, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. The family suggests that any memorial contributions be sent to the Carmel Valley Manor Building Fund, 8545 Carmel Valley Road, Carmel, CA 93923 in her name.