Submited by: Dan Rich

Mary M. Orr

Jan. 11, 1913 - April 22, 2002

South Bend Tribune 4/25/2002

Mary Orr, 89, of 3602 S. Ironwood Drive, South Bend, Ind., died at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 22, in the "Acres," 28900 S.R. 2, New Carlisle, Ind., an assisted living facility. Mary was born in Naugatuck, Conn., to the late Tekla (Niekrsis) and Onufras Kochanowski on Jan. 11, 1913. She was also preceded in death by two brothers. She was a registered nurse, a graduate of Waterbury Hospital School of Nursing, Waterbury, Conn. She was also a graduate of St. Mary's College, South Bend, with a degree in nursing education.

On Aug. 6, 1937, she married Dr. Robert Orr, who survives. She is also survived by a son, Dr. William Orr of Oregon; a grandson, John (Kellie) Orr, their two sons, Mary's great-grandsons, Parker and Keaton; a granddaughter, Bonnie Orr; and her former daughter-in-law, Inara Orr, all of Aurora, Colo.

Mary was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Mishawaka, and was a life member of the St. Joseph Hospital Auxiliary of Mishawaka. She was a nurse at various times at Waterbury Hospital, Henry Ford Hospital in Detroit, Mich., and the University of Kansas Medical Center, Kansas City, Kan., where she was in charge of the premature nursery.

Mary was a diminutive 5' person who more than made up for her size by a certain forthrightness and charm, always coupled with humor. She had several talents in which she was notably accomplished which included her personal writings, academic studies (she obtained an advanced degree at a later age and graduated cum laude), her nursing career, tailoring-not merely sewing, plus excellence as a cook (low fat!) and homemaker. Mary was always "Mary" and we liked to have her around. She retained her humor, appropriateness, and forthrightness and charm to the very end, even with a dementia condition during her last few years.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, May 4, in the First Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka, with Rev. Ronald Miller officiating. Friends may visit with the Orr family in the church from 10 a.m. until services at 11 a.m. Interment will take place previous to the service at the Hillcrest Cemetery in Red Key, Ind. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Northern Indiana Chapter, 108 N. Main Street, Suite 707, South Bend, IN 46601-1617; or to First Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka. The Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, Mishawaka, is handling Mary's funeral arrangements.