Ann (Hower) Orr ’55

Ann Elizabeth Hower Orr, of Gainesville, Florida, joined her husband in Heaven, July 22, 2024. She savored life to the fullest, knew no boundaries in transforming the ordinary to extraordinary and was a breath of fresh air.

She had many passions, including oil painting, hosting memorable themed parties, cooking extravagant dishes, and even writing a scene play. She studied all subjects, traveled, embraced every sport particularly tennis, baseball (Boston Red Sox), and horse racing, and the world was her stage. Ann was part of the Junior League of Gainesville and the “No Name Club” and continued to bring forth her talents and knowledge of music, theater, literacy and religion (Catholic) throughout her life.

Ann, the daughter of Dr. Charles and Anna Hower, grew up in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania and Elmira, New York. She graduated from Vassar with studies in English and Theater along with the skill set of a concert pianist.

She met her adoring husband Louis McDonald Orr at Princeton and the two bonded over their zest for life and gregarious humor in any situation. Together they raised four children: Louis (Wendy Walters), Taylor (Carl Becker), Charles (Lia Brenneman), Reed (Lisa Hunt). Ann cherished her grandchildren, painting them regularly: Audrey Becker (Drew Coleman), Garrett Becker (fiancé Alexandra Ladd), Rachel Hutton-Orr Cabrera (Daniel Cabrera), Hunter Orr (Katy Shutters), Hayden Orr (girlfriend Summer Smith), and Gannon Orr who knew her lovingly as “Ninnie” or “Neenz”.

Ann admired the unique attributes of each person she encountered, refuted the norm and threw caution to the wind with profound wit and lively spirit.

A celebration of Ann’s life will be held by immediate family in honor of her colorful character. Her ashes along with her husbands’ will be scattered on the ocean coast of her beloved home in Southport, Maine, her favorite place in the whole world!

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