Orr, Phyllis (Holcomb)
May 5, 1927 – Nov. 23, 2012


Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 11:01 AM MST


Phyllis Orr (nee Holcomb), beloved mother, grandmother, and sister, passed away peacefully on November 23, 2012.



Her three daughters, Janis Hoffman (Huntley), Gay Pauley (Kent), and Shannon Hanson (Robert) were by her side. Phyllis was born May 5, 1927, in Benson, Arizona, one of three daughters, to parents Harold and Rosa Holcomb.

There she met her future husband, Donald T. Orr. She attended ASU and graduated from UofA, later completing her Masters of Education. After living for some years in Md., Penn., and Va., in 1965 the Orrs and their daughters returned to the Arizona Phyllis loved, where they lived in Douglas. There Phyllis continued her career as an elementary school teacher until she retired in 1992, and hundreds of children were blessed and inspired by her skills as a loving teacher. She was a valued member of the Douglas Presbyterian Church and choir. Phyllis lived in Scottsdale for the final ten years of her life.

She was predeceased by her parents and sister Louise Riddle, and is survived by sister Jean Holcomb Smith, her daughters, and grandchildren Hunt Hoffman, Jackson Pauley, and Torrey and Joshua Speer. Phyllis’s kindness and love of life shone through her beautiful blue eyes until the end.

She will be dearly missed.

Her family will hold a private memorial in the Dragoon Mountains she loved and could see from her childhood home in Benson. In addition, a brief memorial for Phyllis will be held during regular church services at the Presbyterian Church, at 10:30 a.m. on December 9, 2012.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Presbyterian Church in her name.

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    Eva Contreras Boles wrote on Dec 26, 2012 4:55 PM:

    " One of my best teachers ever and mother of my best friend Shannon. God bless you Mrs. Orr. "

    Gay Orr Pauley wrote on Dec 10, 2012 3:39 PM:

    " Thank you, Ray, and everyone, for your condolences. We sincerely appreciate you taking the time to remember our sweet mother. "

    Ray Chavez wrote on Dec 7, 2012 7:31 PM:

    " My condolences to the family. Gay, if you remember me, we used to hang at DHS 1968-71. (I'm the short one). Again, my condolences. "

    Chuey Duarte wrote on Dec 6, 2012 9:27 PM:

    " God bless you Mrs. Orr. She was my third grade teacher at Clawson and I am a better person for having been her student. Thank you!!! "

    Lee Atonna wrote on Dec 6, 2012 9:14 AM:

    " Phyllis was a delight to know. She always had a warm smile and kind word for everyone she met. I remember her fondly from Phi Delta Kappa meetings and our shared interest in teaching. The pictures capture her lovely smile and demeanor so well. "

Write a Comment

Comment posters are responsible for the opinions they express and the accuracy of the information they provide. We urge comment writers to treat this as a public forum where manners matter. We encourage a collegial, non-insulting tone. All readers comments must be approved by our staff before posting to the Web site. They review submitted comments periodically during the day for offensive or off-topic content before posting. Be aware, in accordance with the Communications Decency Act and provisions upheld in judicial appeal, that you are responsible for comments posted on this Web site. The Douglas Dispatch is not liable for messages from third parties.

DO NOT POST:
* Potentially libelous statements or damaging innuendo.
* Obscene, explicit, or racist language.
* Personal attacks, insults or threats.
* The use of another person's real name to disguise your identity.
* Comments unrelated to the story.
* Personal Information (phone numbers, addresses, etc.)

Opinions, advice and all other information expressed in douglasdispatch.com's reader comments represent the individual's own views and not necessarily those of the Douglas Dispatch. The Douglas Dispatch does not endorse and is not responsible for statements, advice or opinions offered by anyone other than authorized Douglas Dispatch spokespersons.

Your thoughtful contribution to the online discussion is appreciated.

(optional)
   









Contact Us

Email the Editor
530 11th Street
Douglas, AZ 85607
tel: 520.364.3424
fax: 520.364.6750
Subscribe Online
Place A Classified