Marilyn Orr
February 24, 1942 – July 23, 2021
As published in the August 2, 2021 World-Spectator
The Angels came down and gathered Mamma in their arms, early morning on July 23, 2021. The sun was rising, with the promise of such a beautiful day. What a wonderful day for Mom to finally be pain free.
Marilyn was a compassionate person. She was a dedicated nurse, on so many levels, to so many throughout her nursing career. She was a nurse first, a mother, an animal lover and advocate for all those less fortunate—the vulnerable of our society.
Marilyn was born on February 24, 1942 in Moosomin, Saskatchewan at Moosomin Union Hospital. When she entered the world, who knew it when she got a bit older she would spend many, tireless hours in the place, the building she was born.
Rudolph and Helen Loster (Plummer) were her parents. They lived in the Coverdale district—at the top of the hill near the lake road. Her mom Helen had a sister Marjorie Stephens—Marj and Bill lived on the other side of the valley on the top of the other lake hill. Marilyn always felt close to her Aunty Marj. Aunty Marj was a wonderful lady. Marilyn went to the one room school house in Coverdale. After a few years Rudy and Helen moved to the edge of Moosomin, right on Main Street. Marilyn then attended McNaughton High School. Marilyn has one sister Darlene. They were like night and day. Fought like sisters, but loved each other as sisters do. Even though she never expressed herself often—she did love her sister greatly. Darlene moved to the city. Often distance keeps you physically apart, but they were always sisters deep in their hearts.
Marilyn graduated from Grade 12 in June of 1960. She worked many hours babysitting, doing what she could, studied hard—she had a dream—to be a nurse—she realized that dream—many are so fortunate she did. She went to study nursing in Regina. The Regina General Hospital is where this young lady transformed into a compassionate nurse. In 1963 she graduated from nursing. She started off and spent many hours in the OR (operating room). Any time she spoke of any nursing experience she lit up. She loved what she did, but she had a passion for the OR. She worked in Regina working at the General for a few years, then returned to Moosomin. She got employment at Moosomin Union. General duty, still doing OR. She was on-call for the OR so often. When called she went in rain, snow, hail…blizzard, whatever, whenever, she was there! She was truly amazing. She worked shift work for 30 years. She took on the DON (Director of Nursing) which rolled into the Manager of Moosomin Union. She was DON–Matron, then Manager for 12 years.
Part of being a nurse, Mom felt it was important to be a member of the Hospital Auxillary—she was a member for years—an active one. She retired from the Hospital at 55. She took a year off, then moved to British Columbia to help with her grandkids—just didn’t stop nursing. Marilyn went on to work in a nursing home where her daughter worked. When she would return to Moosomin she worked at the nursing home in the town of Moosomin. I guess, one can say, Marilyn tried most areas of nursing, she had a vast knowledge and respect for nursing. She worked acute care, in the Operating Room, with the geriatrics—she didn’t say much but was quite proud of the areas she worked as a nurse. She was one of a kind, she left her mark, she always treated people, patients with grace and dignity. She was a very strong leader. She not only led her people, she stood by them, worked side by side with them—even when she was in management—and she defended them. She was never ‘the’ nurse, or the nurse in charge, she was one member of a team she was proud of. And she was that, proud of those who worked beside her.
Nursing for my Mom was more of a passion than a career or a job. Nursing ran in her blood. She often spoke of working many nights with Wendy Longman. Her long time friends Pearl Jameson—now Pearl really was a Pearl—Elsie, Eileen, Bev, Dorothy, Eleanor, Lyla and Glady, so many to name really. She loved working at the hospital, and all that was involved with it, and all the people who worked in it. She maintained those friendships for years. Right up until she didn’t go out anymore. She still called her friends, or they called her. Mom saw a lot of things, many not so good, she did it standing beside her nursing team—that included all around her, not just if you were a RN, anyone who was in the hospital was part of the team in her eyes.
Marilyn had a son, Warren, in 1967 and a daughter, Wanda, in 1969. Marilyn lived in the town of Moosomin on wright road until 1980 when the family moved to the acreage three miles from town. Us kids were a bit of a handful or on the go…Mom always was there, she was tough, she was fair, and she was always there with a sense of humor. Her dry, English way. When we were on the farm, there was always work to be done. I have never seen anyone who could clean and bag so many chickens. We had chickens every summer, and kept some in the winter for eggs. Chickens were never a fond memory… but we had them, and they needed to be taken care of. So we just took care of them. We had a big garden, we had raspberry bushes, and more grass than we could ever keep up to cutting. So you never, ever said I’m bored…before you could blink you would be handed a cardboard box, told to go pick something—what?—whatever was ready! Peas, beans…no matter…or, if we would complain about no money, or want something from town, you were handed an ice cream pail—go pick some raspberries, then take them to town—sell them for $5 a pail! There was always lots to do…cut wood for the wood stove, make supper, do laundr, hang it out on the line, even in the winter freezing your rear off. Yet Mom was around directing, helping, showing, guiding, but we all worked together. When she wasn’t there when she was working, there was a note directing us on how to do things. Always with kindness…She always had us involved in some activities. We played board games, she cooked for any occasion that was happening. She would always decorate a bit for whatever season it was…even in the hospital…gave everyone something to appreciate. When she retired from the Hospital—it was the Drop In Senior Center that was decorated! It always gave people something to look forward to, to look at, to talk about… Mom was always about inclusion. Mom always said, be kind, you don’t know what is going on in someone else’s world. If you can’t be nice or say something nice, keep your mouth closed.
Marilyn always, always loved animals. We always had cats, and dog(s). Mom had a heart of gold. From the time we were small, we had three cats and one dog—Hobo in town then a few cats, and a few dogs on the farm. Mom loved not just our own pets, but any other dogs or cats she met along the way. Again, she had more compassion than any average person. Max and her were great pals for many years.
Mom was proud of her kids, she wasn’t one to always say those words but her actions showed how she felt. She was a huge part of her grandchildren’s lives, Kyle and Megan. She was present for both of their births. Even when Kevin couldn’t be there, Mom was. She always was Kyle and Megan’s most dedicated supporter. No matter what they may need, she did what she could. She was their biggest cheer leader.
Marilyn always had wanted to join the Canadian forces herself, thus when her son, Warren, became a member of the Princess Patricia Canadian Light Infantry, her heart burst with pride! Mom, her friend Glynna, and Wanda took a road trip to Wainwright, Alberta to see her son graduate from battle school. A proud moment. When they stated the name of the member, they would say where they were from. Since Warren was in Ontario when he joined, they listed Ontario as his home. Mom was a bit disgusted, saying very quietly to me on the side—he’s not from Ontario…He’s from Saskatchewan.
When her son-in-law Kevin joined the Navy, she was proud once again. Warren was in the service for seven years, Kevin for 20 and Mom, well, she was the most proud silent supporter of those two men. Often when we would all be together, while both were serving, they would have this private little rival going on. If the army can’t cut it—send in the navy and vice versa. Mom would smile, and laugh.
The forces life was hard, she was there every step of the way to support her kids, grandkids in every way possible. The forces is not for everyone, it is enough for some after a few years—but to put in 20 years with multiple deployments, you have to be beyond tough. Mom understood beyond tough. You never know how strong you can be until it is the only choice you have. Mom was our solid rock—our silent supporter. She never would let our heads get too far up in the clouds, as Mom was there yanking us back down to Earth—forever keeping it real! We all will never be able to thank her enough for all her support during those hard times, those tough navy deployments…thank the good Lord for her! I remember Mom saying on a few occasions that Navy wives were half nuts when the guys were home, and completely nuts when they were deployed! She said it with a half smile, then we would always laugh, then we just pulled it together and carried on. It was always ok to be human, but we always had to move forward. Courage and strength—what my Mom was and what she taught and instilled in me.
Marilyn’s Mom, Helen, had a brother, Ernie Plummer. He was a wonderful, kind man. He was always kind to Mom. Uncle Ernie was her favorite, as was Auntie Marj. Mom also had a strong friendship with Lyla Moore. Mom and Lyla took road trips together. These were some of the highlights of Mom’s life outside of work. Lyla was like a mother figure to Mom and such a nice lady whom I am always grateful for. I think these three older people in Mom’s life helped her through her own life when things got rough, as that is how life is at times. Mom always spoke highly of them, spent time with them. They all filled a void for Mom, one she needed filled.
When Mom retired from nursing she had nursed for 43 years. She had really wanted to make it to 45 years of nursing but her heart was saying enough! She kept on going…she had joined the Moosomin Seniors Drop In Center. She was the chair for six years. She played shuffle board, five pin bowling and cards. She took on the decorating for each monthly occasion there too. We often helped her. She loved it there. Phylliss was her partner for the years she spent there. She created a photo book, anniversary book for the 25th of the Drop In and organized a huge tea to celebrate the occasion.
One thing Mom has always did is crochet, knit and later on quilted. As long as I can remember she made many blankets for many, many people. She—through Grandma Helen—did ceramics for years too. She had a creative side to her. That she just did all through her life that I can remember. She liked to make fruit cake or gum drop cake at Christmas. The fruit cake was a big event in the dogs’ lives too as anything that hit the floor was theirs. We would spend Christmas and New Years with her cousin Sandy. Mom would do one and Sandy would do the other. Sandy always stopped and saw my Mom when in town. Sandy made the best taffee at Christmas!
Quilting during her retirement, before, and after was huge in Mom’s life. She loved it, she loved the people she met while doing it. We are very fortunate here for a small town to have two fabric stores! Mom knew and truly enjoyed Shirley and her staff, and Heather—where they would always have a wee chat when Mom checked out the bargain bin. I think one of the best things Mom made apart from quilts were Halloween costumes for her grandkids. One was a purple dinasour with this long tail. I can’t remember how much material she had to stuff in that tail, but it was the best! When Kyle went out for Halloween that year, a few neighborhood dogs thought it was the thing to do to chase this kid’s dinasour tail down the street. Mom always got a smile when Megan would decide if she would do an activity or if she wasn’t ready yet! Megan is a lot like her Grandma Marilyn. Don’t push either too hard.
Mom always drank black coffee, smoked—she always said you find out the most information having a smoke with the gurls. She loved chocolates, no nuts though later as they would get stuck under her false teeth! She wasn’t a big house cleaner—why waste the time. She loved coke, pepsi—hated root beer. Loved onion rings. Disliked milk greatly! She got her license when she was 26. Bought a new Saturn car in 2000—she loved this car—always called her Baby but when she felt she couldn’t drive anymore—she sold it. Mom was really a woman before her time! Mom loved watching sports…not hockey! But curling, tennis, football, not baseball so much. She loved watching the Olympics. She always took pictures when she was young, right up to after she was 75—took pictures of all her quilts. Quilting is what really kept her going and gave her a purpose. Mom was a big reader, always reading and learning. She loved crossword puzzles. She really followed the news, was interested in politics. She loved going out for lunch with her old nurse friends…and any friends in general…thank you all for taking the time to spend with her.
Mom was a humble lady. She did nothing for the recognition, but just for the satisfaction of making someone else’s day a bit better. When she did something, she did it right to the best of her ability. Even as Matron, she did rounds every morning, checking in on every patient in every room. She said Good Morning to all. She showed respect, and she was rewarded with the respect of others in return. She was a selfless person. She gave so much to her patients, her kids and her grandkids. She would give her all if someone else was in need. Especially her blood family, and her work family. She did go to church as a young person, she was part of the church choir. She always had faith, believed in God—even if she didn’t always have the time to get to church, she believed. She lived her life via do unto others as you want others to do unto you. She was an advocate for the ill, a silent supporter of the forces… Just an asset to mankind. She always spoke, said hello, and a smile—as that was free…it didn’t cost anything but was priceless to the one receiving the greeting.
Mom and I went on a trip to Hawaii a few years after she retired. She didn’t have a passport at the time. I had gotten some backpay, so I thought take Mom to Hawaii. Her and her friend Elsie took a fast trip to Regina to get a passport for Mom. Got that done. Soon we were headed to Hawaii. My Mom embraced the time we had in paradise. We went to the International Market Garden, saw Elvis! Saw a Don Ho Show. Went to three Luaus, did some sightseeing trips to the Dole Plantation and a few others. I am so thankful we just went. It was a trip Mom had always wanted to go on, and she so deserved to. Thus we did, it was amazing. She relived those memories many times.
She had an English background—knowing the true English, she had such a dry sense of humor! But a keen sense of humor when her Mother passed Grandma was to be cremated. She gathered up Grans’ purse and Grans’ keys, hussled it down to the funeral home. Grandma Helen was always late because she could never find her purse or her keys… drove us to drink sometimes. Mom hands over Grandma’s keys to the funeral person and says “please make sure Mom has these with her when she is cremated.” She was always losing them in life, so if they are cremated with her, she will always have them with her!
Mom saw several bad things when she was an on call nurse—she never complained about her work. She had class and integrity beyond. She carried lots on her shoulders yet never let that affect how she treated others. She was a survivor, a warrior…she handled more than many could imagine! Yet she was practical, and a realist with a sense of humor. Those are the things I will remember the most. She wouldn’t want anyone to be sad, she would just want us to be kind. She would want others to live life. Always she said—we will get through this together, and onwards and upwards!
To all who knew her and were a part of her life in any way—thank you. A thank you to Bev and to Mary for helping Mom so she could stay home as long as she did. To any who cared about, or gave good care to Mom—she was grateful. As much as she may have enriched your life, you enriched hers. She was so proud of her hospital friends, the staff she worked with. You know who you all are. All who were her friends…she loved you. She was English so she never gushed about feelings but she truly did care more than you will ever likely know.
To those who were close, near, and available during her last few days—thank you seems so insufficient. Your presence was priceless, immeasurable, so incredibly important to Mamma, and myself. You will never know how much your kindness impacted Mom and I. There is a special place in Heaven for people like you.
She leaves to mourn; son Warren (Dorothy), daughter Wanda (Kevin), grandchildren Kyle and Megan. Her sister Darlene, her good friend Bev and all who knew her, loved her.
Marilyn Orr—my Mom—the single person who loved my brother and I since we were born—we love her so deeply—forever, eternally grateful that she was our Mother. For us, for our families, for all those who had the honor to know her, our lives will be forever enriched… What we have lost, Heaven has so truly gained.
Mom, you gave us so much of your heart, we will always carry you in ours.
Mom, may you rest in peace.
A graveside funeral service was held at Webster Cemetery, Rocanville, on Friday, July 30, at 11 am.
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