Neva Orr Memoriam

Neva Fay Orr, passed away recently after a long illness. She was 93 years old. A true Colorado Springs native, she was born June 13, 1915, and grew up on Center Street in a house that long ago gave way to I-25. Her father, Arthur R. Woods, came to Colorado Springs in a buckboard wagon at the turn of the last century and for years owned and operated a gas station downtown on South Cascade until the Great Depression put him and many others out of business. By then, Neva had graduated from Colorado Springs High School (now Palmer High School) where she met a young man, Samuel S. Orr, Jr. whom she was to marry. They were dedicated to each other for the next 70 years until Sam passed away in 2007. As Sam pursued a career in service to his country, including the Navy in WWII and then 23 years in the Army, Neva was a devoted service wife. As well as accompanying him to various stateside posts and assignments to Germany and France; she endured several lengthy separations while he was away on duty. Along the way, she often worked as a beautician to help the family make ends meet, but always found time to be a kind and loving mother to her two children. After her children had grown and Sam retired - at a time when most people begin to slow down - Neva caught her second wind and helped her daughter raise two sons. Known as “Nini� to the grandkids, she was also a source of home-cooked meals, blueberry muffins, and shortbread to a granddaughter visiting from college for the weekend. Her grandchildren brought great joy to her life. In all her years, no matter what she was asked to do or what the next activity was going to be, her response was always the same: “Sounds good to me.� The Orr home on North Nevada was a magnet for gatherings of the extended family and always ready for a welcomed visit by their many friends. She had an indomitable spirit and sense of humor that the hardest of times and even her failing health could not dampen. She will be missed by us all. Predeceased by her husband, Sam; and her daughter, Lynn; Neva will be remembered fondly by her son, Raymond, four grandchildren: Heather, Keith, Doug, and Emily, and two great-grandchildren, Brenna and Lucas. There will be a celebration of her life at in the Cathedral Room of the First Presbyterian Church of Colorado Springs at 1:00 p.m. on May 21st for family and friends.