Mary Ellen Orr

Mary Ellen Orr has gone to be with the love of her life, Glen Orr, to whom she was happily married for more than 59 years. He passed away earlier this year, leaving an enormous hole in the lives of Mom and her kids. If you were ever lucky enough to be around them or see pictures of them together, you could not deny their love. Their love is an inspiration to all their kids. Our Mom leaves an equally large hole in the hearts of her family and friends. In addition to being a committed and loving wife, she was a fantastic mom to six kids, Grandma to 12 grandkids, and Mima (mee maw) to one grandchild. She was also sister to three beloved sisters, and she loved her Mom and dad (Granny and Grandpa Johnson) with her entire heart. We all know with absolute certainty that she loves us, and she often reminded us of that fact. Sometimes, she would cup your face in her hands, stare into your eyes, and say, "I Love You!" There was never any doubt. God put some people on this earth with the ability to love everyone in their path. That made her a great mom, sister, wife, friend, daughter, and nurse. Mom was born in 1940 as the first child to Merlyn and Jack Johnson in Tooele, Utah. She was later blessed with three sisters; Aunt Jackie, Aunt Kathy, and Aunt Marlene, a friend of the girls who would ultimately become known and loved as their fourth sister. The sisters remained close throughout their lives despite being separated by almost a thousand miles. For many years they took a Sister's trip to places like Washington, D.C., New York, Branson, and even a cruise. Oh, to be a fly on the wall as these four ladies laughed their way through museums, music halls, and the decks of a cruise ship, one of their favorite trips. Group pictures from their trips are evidence of the fun they had together. Their love for each other should be a model for all families. She was a nurse through and through, graduating from nursing school in New Mexico and learning her profession in maternity and emergency wards in Ohio, New Mexico, and Idaho. After the Orrs moved to Texas, Mom ultimately cared for hundreds of people in and around Live Oak County. We all remember the dozens of people who came to our house to get allergy shots in our kitchen. Some got their shots and left; others lingered over coffee and gossip. Perhaps Mom is most known for being the School Nurse for the George West ISD. For many years, Mom's office was where you could expect a loving touch and a warm heart if you were feeling ill. If you went to school in George West during the 80s and 90s, Mom probably checked your eyes, tested your hearing, or helped you get over an upset tummy or headache. Before and after her career as School Nurse, Mom worked at nursing homes in Three Rivers, Beeville, and George West taking care of the parents and grandparents of the kids she nursed at school. She seemed to have a special touch with her patients, young and old, that came from a place of true love and caring. God blessed her with the ability to care deeply. If we all cared as deeply, the world would be a much better place. After becoming less able to get out on her own, Mom deeply missed the dear friends left in South Texas after she moved in with our sister Margaret, her husband Jeff, and their kids, Sarah, Ryan, and Jake. She especially missed having lunch and coffee with them and praying with her dear friends in prayer groups and ministries. Mom was a devout Catholic and a St. George Catholic Church member since we moved to South Texas in the 1970s. When we were little, Mom sometimes played the organ at 10 am mass. Other times, you could find the Orrs sitting as close to the front of the church as possible on the right-hand side. We all behaved like perfect gentlemen and ladies during mass lest we get a thump on the head by her. On Wednesdays, Mom always made sure we made it to Catechism, which she also taught for several years. Mary Ellen Orr was a great mom, Grandma, and Mima. She sewed school clothes, work clothes, basketball knee pads, and quilts for everyone one of us. It is baffling how she had time to sew while working and tending to a family of eight. Perhaps when you are driven by love for your family, time unfolds differently. Mom's passing devastates all her kids, sisters, grandkids, and friends. The good news is that she is reunited with Dad, her beloved mother and father, Merlyn and Jack Johnson, and her sister, Marlene Casey. The rest of us remain here, missing her every day. That includes her sisters, Kathleen Hately (Aunt Kathy), and Jaqueline Sell (Aunt Jackie); Mom's kids, Margaret and Jeff Harrod and their kids, Sarah Solis, Ryan Solis, and Jake Solis; Glen (Lester) and Fiona Orr; Scott and Beth Orr and their kids, Tyler, Mason, and Bailey; Cindy and Bernie Seger and their kids, James Scotten, Kyle Scotten, and Maggie Seger; Otto and Elsa Orr and their kids Olivia and Brady; and Matt and his kids, Jordan and Maddie. Visitation will begin on Friday, Dec. 2, 2022 from 5PM to 7PM with a Rosary to be recited at 7PM in the Roberson Funeral Home Chapel in Three Rivers, Tx. Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, Dec. 3, 2022 at 10AM at the St. George Catholic Church in George West, Tx. Burial will follow in the St. George Catholic Cemetery.

Mary Ellen Orr

August 20, 1940 - November 29, 2022