Georgette T. Orr

Georgette Therése (neé Lavallee) Orr was born September 6, 1932 in Brooklyn, New York to George Lavallee and Desneiges (neé Lelievre) Lavallee, where she was raised with her 3 older brothers: Maurice, Norman and Raymond, as well as her younger sister Florence. Her father emigrated from northern Quebec and became an engineer for New York Central Railroad, and her mother had come to New York from a French whaling community in New Bedford, Massachusetts.

An excellent student, Georgette earned academic scholarships to high school and college. As it was a different time, she left college early to start working and support her brothers through college and law school. Earning promotions within the Bell Telephone Company, she worked her way into management. Athletic and active, she took up skiing, piano and travel when she met and married the love of her life, Edmund James Orr on September 26, 1959. A few years later, after the birth of their daughter, Regina, they moved from Brooklyn to suburban New Jersey, where they lived for over 50 years.

Georgette quickly became a very active member of the Borough of New Providence community.  She enjoyed playing tennis, bocci ball, card games, baking, and spending time with family.  She was a cornerstone of New Providence’s Recycling Center, which largely functioned on volunteer efforts she coordinated each week. Georgette was highly involved with Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, was a member of their Rosarian prayer and volunteer group, laundered the priests vestments, provided eucharistic minister services at local hospitals, sold tickets for money raising raffles, worked bingo game nights, and helped with a variety of special events, such as the large, annual OLP fair. After 35 years in New Providence, they moved to Basking Ridge, NJ.

Georgette maintained her high level of activity in Basking Ridge: She was active with the town club, organizing fund raisers for the rescue squad. Georgette got involved with the local parish of St. James, while continuing with some of her responsibilities at Our Lady of Peace. She was elected President of the Activities Club of her new living community, as well as President of the Bocci Ball league. She also enjoyed daily walks, and group exercise like water aerobics. She became a competitive bridge player in multiple leagues, as an individual and as a couple until Georgette was predeceased by her husband on January 23, 2007. After another decade on her own, she moved to Independence Village Senior Living in Carmel, Indiana, to be closer to her daughter Regina and her husband Jeff and their children until her passing on March 17, 2023.

Georgette was an extremely generous spirit, who loved to laugh and sing and make time for friends and family. A devoted mother, wife, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend, she exemplified how to live a passionate, full and quality life. Her light, smile and energy were contagious and she always appreciated hard work and a good party.  As we celebrate her return to rest, our hearts weep.

Georgette is survived by her siblings Raymond Lavallee and Florence Diane (neé Lavallee) Cheeseman; her children Regina Ann (neé Orr) Coleman, (Jeff), and Edmund James Orr, Jr., (Nathalie Baillet); and her grandchildren Kevin Loftus Coleman, Brian Orr Coleman, Kelly Ann Coleman, Sage Caden Orr, Shane Michael Orr and Sydelia Rae Orr.

The family is planning a private celebration of life at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, please make donations to: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.