New Horizons - Irene Leverton (7/23/2017)

Irene was a Chicago girl from a modest home who initiated her life-long airplane love affair by discovering the Civil Air Patrol. Recognizing her passion and determination, the CAP pilots soloed her in a yellow Cub leading to her first career as a crop duster.

Irene, the serious pilot, revealed her sly wit at the dedication of the new Chicago lakefront airport, Meigs Field. Her friend Jacqueline Cochran was marketing her new perfume named Tailspin. The ladies filled Irene's crop duster hopper with a large supply of Tailspin, so Irene sprayed the crowd on several passes. Anyway, the LADIES loved it!

Irene never slowed down, teaching flight students, flew commuter flights, air ambulance, gave FAA flight checks and spotted fires for the Forest Service.

Irene joined The 99s in 1948

She fit the fun in also, finishing first in the Women's National Pylon Race in Reno, and raced from London, England, to Victoria, Canada. 

Irene accepted the invitation of Dr. Randy Lovelace to undertake and pass the astronaut physical tests in 1960 as part of the group which became known as "The Mercury 13." For that, Irene received an honorary Doctorate from the University of Wisconsin.

Her awards would likely fill a large hangar - the CAP Meritorious Service Award was very special to her, The Adler Planetarium in Chicago, FAA Master Pilot Award, and The Arizona Aviation Hall of Fame, to name just a few, while logging 25,762 flying hours in 65 years.

Irene requested no service, and a scholarship is to be offered at Embry Riddle University.

We will undoubtedly hear one last laugh from above the clouds while back in Chicago her original prank has come full circle. Irene's ashes are to be dispersed along the old runway of Meigs Field.

- Gene Nora Jessen