Robbie F. Orr, 71

A remembrance of Robbie F. Orr, Aug. 21, 1942, to March 10, 2014.

“First and foremost I want to be clear that this is not to be read as a somber moment. For me, my passing was a quiet and joyous moment. I was not alone as I passed from this life; at my side was my husband, Curt; daughter, Michelle; and son, Michael. 

“My family and closest friends know that I was granted a second life following a significant health issue about 12 years ago. Suffice to say, God intervened and sent me to all the right people, and then to me, including my husband and major caregiver, my sister Shirley, Ingrid Nelson, Dr. Rhobaun, and last but not least, Dr. Michael Marshall. I cherished these 12 years as a precious opportunity to create new happy memories with my family and friends. During these last several months, however, the health problem from 12 years ago again became an issue. Suffice to say, once again God intervened. This being my time to join Him and my family and friends in heaven.

“Now a short bio of myself. After graduating from Deaconess Hospital Nursing School and working a short while in Spokane, my close friend Di and I traveled to Southern California. I worked at Hoag Memorial Hospital in Newport Beach. My friends and I had a fine time in Southern California. 

I left there to marry Curt. He was a Navy pilot. We lived in several places while he was in the Navy, during which we lived the longest in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. While Curt was in the Navy I worked in Florida, Texas, San Diego/SFO and Idaho. Didn't work in Hawaii, just had fun.

“After the Navy, Curt worked commercially for the airlines. We have been in Florida since 1969, and lived in Montana in a cabin during the summers starting in 1980. Montana became my family's second home and where I would discover many of my closest and dearest friends, many who became my extended family. While in Florida I worked in Miami and Fort Lauderdale doing hospital, office and hospice work. I retired from nursing in the early ‘90s due to illness, which I did not miss at all.

“And now a few thoughts from my husband, daughter and son.

“Wife and Mom is our hero. She taught us the meaning of how precious life is, and that each moment shared with family and friends is a gift to be cherished and never to be taken for granted. She bluntly reminded us often to not be distracted by life's trivialities. To us, this was a gentle, joyous and loving flight of our hero to join God and her family and friends already in heaven.”

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the First Baptist Church of Columbia Falls, 827 Ninth St. W., Columbia Falls, MT 59912.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 23, at the First Baptist Church of Columbia Falls.