Debbie and family, sending sincere condolences on the loss of your sister and beloved family member.
~ BARBARA CORMIER,
Montpelier, VT
Rest In peace, my dear sister. I’ve had six months of contemplative solitude, so find a nice comfortable chair, and get your glasses. ?
I sat outside recently, gazing at a wondrous full moon, allowing pieces and fragments of memories to float through my mind, and what kept coming back to me were the many ways that life’s treasures made you happy. Until the worst of your health problems put you on the last, long, rocky segment of your journey, you participated fully in life and found much joy which you freely and lovingly shared.
In no particular order except to begin with the joy so evident in your life with Dave, I began to reflect on the many sources that brought you joy throughout the years: Faith. Family. Friends. Your dogs. Your home, decorated so meticulously and beautifully. Singing. You taught me how to harmonize! Entertaining and gathering the family together, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas. Cooking! Every meal a celebration, (and always real butter!). Discovering a “rare find” (remember that old fireplace mantel we hauled home from a rummage?). Dressing up (formal). Dressing up (just for fun). Remember those Halloween parties we invited you and Dave to? You were both young at heart, and so hip and fun, your costumes clever and creative. Telling a funny story about you and Dave or a family story that would entertain us. Great joy in activities that those who know you the longest will recall: Dancing, golfing, fishing, skating, swimming, boating, going to concerts. Joy and awe about nature: Bird watching (does anyone else remember that about you?). Watching the deer in the backyard, listening to the loons on the lake up north. Not just “oh, the loons are on the lake,” it was “Shhhh!!! Listen! Aren’t they just beautiful?” Traveling—California, Florida, Arizona, Nevada, trips to New England, the Smokey Mountains, summers up North. Food! A sumptuous meal at a favorite restaurant, or creating your own entrée via substitutions from the best parts of every dish. And, it goes without saying, shopping. Finding special gifts for family and friends on your trips, finding something fun and beautiful to wear or to place in the home. These are but a few memories that I will value always. I love you, and I thank you for teaching me how to pursue joy with youthful abandonment, and how to treasure each living moment, no matter what.
~ Debbie,
Santa Clarita, CA
I will remember Bonnie for her infectious laugh and the joy she brought to our family gatherings. I will always think of Bonnie's love for fun and her willingness to share her happiness by including us in many fun vacations: Up North, in California and Florida. Bonnie was always there to help celebrate the joyful events in my life and to lend a hand in the most difficult times. Bonnie's spirit will always be with me and I am grateful for all of the Happy Memories.
~ Holly,
CUDAHY, WI
Aunt Bonnie was So full of life, love, faith, and wisdom.
In the beginning years of Me and Chad, she and her husband hosted Christmas, a tradition long back since Chad was a child. They were likened to Aunt Bonnie. Later years, she’d come to our house, the baton had passed, we were now Christmas party hosts, a “job” Chad looked forward to and loves to this day. all his family gathered in our house, as one.
Love and marriage. Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Dave have amazed me in their love and devotion for each other. Bonnie would liken Mine and Chad’s Love and relationship to theirs but theirs Far exceeded what we have. It’s what we strive for, 60 years of marriage!! 60! I loved that she has/d faith in me and Chad from the beginning. Always positive. Always praising me on the children and our parenting. She was just a positive, wise, and loving influence that I’ll miss.
Poodles. Her Love for her Poodles was the same as our love for our children, hers were her children, her life. She’d talk of watching Issac run in their yard or of Uncle Dave taking care of Isaac and when she did, she’d have an extra sparkle in her smile.
And for the past 11 yrs each post I’d make on fb or pictures I’d post, she’d comment with positivity and faith. Always send her love and blessings.
I’ll miss the history she was of the Orr’s.
When we wanted to ask about a deceased Orr, we’d call Aunt Bonnie. Wanted to see pictures of Chad’s dad as a kid, She had them. She was the keeper of the Orr history, telling us the stories and history of who made them. So much history and stories gone yet so much told and passed on.
I’ll miss Aunt Bonnie and all her vibrant, vivaciousness. We all will. When she’d tell a story her face would light up. She completed our kid’s dreams when she and Grandma helped Make Disneyworld a reality, she was just a big personality and an even more Loving soul.
Even in her sickness, she still was full of love and faith. She will be GREATLY missed!! We Love you Aunt Bonnie!!
~ Chad, Courtney, Reese, Macy Rae, Lucy, and Heath,
Milwaukee , WI
Life and Death. They really do come in and go out hand in hand. Joy, laughter, love and peace. Sadness, tears, pain and grief.
What a life this women had! Aunt Bonnie was So full of life, love, faith, and wisdom. My first trip to WI was supposed to be for her and her Husband Dave’s 50th anniversary but my son Reese was born and I stayed in CA. A year later we moved to WI. In the beginning years of Me and Chad, Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Dave hosted Christmas, a tradition long back since Chad was a child. He’s tell me stories of them going over each Christmas and playing with the poodles while adults chatted away. To us, Christmas gatherings were associated to Aunt Bonnie. Later years, she’d come to our house, or Carrie’s, the baton had passed, we were now Christmas party hosts, a “job” Chad looked forward to and loves to this day, all his family, aunts and uncles and siblings, nieces and nephews, gathered in our house, as one. Family. ??
Love and marriage. Her and her husband have amazed me in their love and devotion for each other. Bonnie would liken Mine and Chad’s Love and relationship to theirs but theirs faaaar exceeded what we have. It’s what we strive for, 60 years of marriage!! 60! I loved that she has/d faith in me and Chad from the beginning. Always pointing out our positives of each other to each other. Always praising me on the children and our parenting. She was just a positive, wise, and loving influence that I’ll miss. My only regret, not spending a night when she asked me to ?? I just thought taking a nursing baby would be worse but maybe we should have.
Poodles. When I used to see poodles they’d remind me of my mom. After meeting Bonnie and seeing and hearing her love of poodles, I always think of her and my Mom now. Amazing and influential women. That’s all Aunt Bonnie and Uncle Dave had, Poodles. Her Love for her Poodles was the same as our love for our children, her and Dave’s were their children, her life. She’d talk of her Love for David, how he’d take care of her. How she loves to watch David throw the ball or stick and Issac would run after to get it. She talked of all her Love for her family, her faith, her life. She truly did enjoy her life! ??
And for the past 11 yrs each post I’d make on fb or pictures I’d post, she’d comment with positivity and faith. Always send her love and blessings. I’ll miss the history she was of the Orr’s.
When we wanted to ask about a deceased Orr, we’d call Aunt Bonnie. Wanted to see pictures of Chad’s dad as a kid, his Aunt Bonnie had them. His Aunt Holly as well ?? But Bonnie was the keeper of the Orr history, telling us the stories and history of who made them. Of James and Flora Orr, and even baby Elizabeth Orr, she knew more about Baby Elizabeth and her passing then any other Orr member. She told us of her father, Chad’s Grandfather, Arthur and their mother, Arthur’s wife, Lenore. So much history and stories gone yet so much told and passed on to us.
I’ll miss Aunt Bonnie and all her vibrant, vivaciousness. When she’d tell a story her face would light up. She completed our kid’s dreams when she and Grandma Yaya (Judy) helped Make Disneyworld a reality, she was just a big personality and an even more Loving soul.
Even in her sickness, she still was full of love and faith. She will be GREATLY missed!! We Love you Aunt Bonnie!!
May God Bless and Keep you Always ??
~ Chad and Courtney Orr,
Milwaukee, WI
Bonnie, you are already greatly missed. We spent a lot of time together over the years and always had fun and good times. We know you suffered more and more as you health deteriorated but you are now pain free and in God's loving arms. Love you always.
~ Jim and Carol,
Leona Valley, CA
I am very, very sad?? and my heart is broken ???? You was like a second mother to me and You know it?? YOU means to me so much ?? ?? I love You and will miss You FOREVER ??and i will miss our everyday talking with You ???? We laughed and cried together, we had a great time together ??YOU IN MY HEART?? FOREVER,DEAR BONNIE ?? MY DEAR SECOND MOTHER ??
~ Estonia ,
Tartu
I will miss you, Auntie Bonnie. Thank you for being a part of my life. Even if our visits were not as often as they should have been, I’m grateful for the times that we had. I’ll always remember the lake trips, sitting by your fireplace, and dancing The Hustle in your basement when I was little. Thank you for being my dad’s big sister. Thank you for your contagious laugh, your silliness, and heart. Although my heart breaks for you and Uncle David, I know you’re at peace and that God is welcoming you with his arms opened wide. With all my love, Darlene
~ Darlene ,
Quartz Hill, CA
My dear Bonnie I wish you peace of mind, peace of body and now peace in God's care. You and David epitomized true love. Thank you for being in my life and allowing me to 'hover'.
~ Kathy H,
Milwaukee, WI
