Patricia A. Orr Ph.D

Pat Orr died peacefully on Saturday December 6th at the age of 91. Pat had a lifelong interest in serving her community and country. Whether as a member of Job’s Daughters, Eastern Star, US Air Force, Women’s Sertoma, Mote Marine or the American Association University Women, Pat wanted to be involved. When the US Olympic committee asked her to participate in the Olympic torch run for the 2002 Olympics she gladly accepted.

She is daughter of Edwin and Ethel Kreiman, born August 2, 1934, in Milwaukee, WI. She married James Orr (1955) at Donalson AFB in Greenville, SC, while both were serving in the US Air Force. The family travelled extensively both in the US and in the Pacific. When Jim was in his second career as a professor at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, IL, Pat worked in human resources at the university and received her Ph.D from SIU in 1999. Pat and Jim moved to Venice, FL in 2000 and were among the first residents in their community, where they frequently entertained. One of her many favorite things about Venice were her early morning Mote Marine turtle nesting walks.

She was preceded in death by her parents, sister Nancy, brother Jim and her husband Jim of 55 years. She leaves behind her daughter Karen Hart and son Gary (Kaye), grandsons Joseph (Kayla) Hart, Zachary Hart, James “Addison” Orr (Margaret Hummel) and great grandchildren Rowan and Remi Faye Hart, Bruce and Ryder Rose Orr.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Women’s Sertoma of Venice, Mote Marine or the American Association of University Woman. She will be buried next to her husband at the Florida National Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida. There will be a graveside military service and family gathering to celebrate her life.