Beverly A. Orr

Beverly Ann Orr of Pasadena, Maryland died peacefully May 19 2017 at Hospice of the Chesapeake, surrounded by her family. Beverly was born November 22, 1936 in Newton Massachusetts, to the late Richard and Florence (Mallette) Tatham. After her father’s death when she was three, Beverly, her twin sister, Barbara, brother, David, and their mother moved in with her grandmother, “Gram” Esther (Malette) Chapman, and her husband Richard. Gram’s generous, grounded guidance helped shape Beverly’s future. Summer camp with Barbara between ages 11 and 17 was a formative experience for Beverly. There her lifelong love of nature and wildlife was awakened and nourished. She learned to sing there, and throughout her life, Beverly was always at the ready to punctuate a conversation with a song—she had a song for any topic. She loved poetry, and frequently shared from the large library of those she had memorized. A graduate of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in June 1958, Beverly was an exemplary student. She excelled in the study of language, for which she had a real talent. A lifelong student, Beverly was always curious and always learning. She loved to share what she knew with others. Also an artist, Beverly’s sketches and drawings of children, nature and everyday life are treasured by her family. Married to William Orr from 1957 until 1974, Beverly travelled the world with her husband and children. Their first child, Brigette, was born in North Carolina, followed by Brietta two years later in California. Alyson and Bill came along during the next five years, and both were born while the family lived in Germany. At home in any culture, she made life comfortable for her family in England and Germany, and traveled to Austria, Belgium, France, Holland, Italy, Norway, and Spain. Settling in Maryland in 1966, she found the ‘land of pleasant living’ to be especially agreeable, and remained there until her death. Beverly was close to her twin sister Barbara until her death in 2005, and they reveled in every opportunity to be together, reminiscing and often giggling as they finished each other’s sentences. Barbara’s children, Robert, Richard and Alan especially loved their dear Aunt Bev, as did Beverly’s many nieces and nephews. Remembered by many for her kind, open spirit, Beverly brought joy to the many lives she touched. She loved children and babies, playing with them, rocking them, and singing to them. A wonderful cook, all who enjoyed Beverly’s creations have a favorite, or more than one, dish or desert she made. Beverly was a hard worker. She enjoyed serving the children of Riviera Beach Elementary School, Pasadena, at their school cafeteria for 13 years, and was much loved by her workmates and the students. Foremost of her favorite activities was sharing the Bible’s message of hope with others. A member of each local congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses where she lived during the past 50 years, Beverly was a tireless supporter of her spiritual brothers and sisters, and the work of sharing the good news of the Kingdom with her neighbors and all who would listen. She is dearly missed by her family and friends. Beverly is survived by her brother David Tatham (Cleo), of Syracuse, New York, four children, L. Brigette Pache (Klaus), of Vancouver, WA; F. Brietta Vargas (Thom), of Leesburg, VA; Alyson Dorsey (Dennis), of Owings, MD; William Orr (Adrienne), of Pasadena, MD; ten grandchildren, Craig, Adrienne, Joseph, Lauren, David, Drew, Krysta, Darren, Bryce and Aidan; ten great-grandchildren, Joseph, Meaghan, Gabriella, Corbin, Grace, Jeremiah, Davian, Alora, Xayden, and Temperance. A memorial service for Beverly will be held 2:30 PM, Saturday June 17 2017 at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, 58 Magothy Bridge Rd, Severna Park, MD 21146.. In lieu of flowers, please feel free to donate to the world wide work of Jehovah’s Witnesses at jw.org, or the Audubon Society at www.audubon.org. Special thanks to the caregivers at Future Care, Arnold, MD, who cared with love for our mother during her seven-year residence there. “He will swallow up death forever, and the Sovereign Lord Jehovah will wipe away the tears from all faces.” --Isaiah 25:8

Beverly A. Orr

November 22, 1936 - May 19, 2017