Obituary of Anne Honeywell Orr

Anne Honeywell Orr of Youngstown, New York lived her life as she wanted, creating an innovative, original, and artistic life by design. She was a devoted activist, an accomplished sailor, had a fascinating and multifaceted career, an adventurous spirit, and was a devoted family member. Her death on April 17th leaves many wishing they could hear her laugh or strong opinions once again. Anne grew up in Youngstown, where she graduated from Lewiston Porter High School in 1975. She was born into a sailing family, leading to a lifelong affiliation with the Youngstown Yacht Club where she was an early advocate for and avid participant in all-women’s racing that opened the door for many young women. After graduating from Smith College, she began a life of adventure and reinvention. Anne worked in advertising, eventually owning an ad agency in Pittsburgh. She traveled the US in her van, Van Go, for a year, and using her communication skills next became a successful business consultant working with major organizations worldwide on mergers and acquisitions. Anne studied interior design while living in Seattle and San Francisco, eventually working on homes coast to coast. Her work was featured in a design magazine - she was brilliant choosing color and giving practical advice. Anne wove the tapestry of her life from coast to coast, connecting the people and places that she loved with one another. During her time in San Francisco, Anne learned her Grandmother’s home on Church Street in Youngstown was for sale and after purchasing it in 2009, she began what was perhaps her best reinvention - a life of service and activism that benefited so many. Anne was Chair of the Niagara Area Foundation Council, an elected member of the Lewiston-Porter Board of Education, a sous chef for Meals on Wheels, and tirelessly worked on political campaigns, including being a founding member of Indivisible Niagara, a political action group. Jodee Riordan, President of the Lewiston-Porter Board of Education, wrote in tribute to Anne, “Her service to the community extended beyond the Board of Education, to numerous charitable and political organizations. When there was work to be done, a cause to champion, or a need in the community, Anne was there. During the past year of the pandemic, she worked tirelessly delivering meals to those in need and made thousands of cloth masks, which she distributed freely throughout the district and across the country. The day before her death, she delivered over a hundred children’s masks that she had made for an upcoming event on her way home from her work at Meals on Wheels.” Anne loved to sail and travel, she was a generous friend, and adored her Havanese dog, Lola. She will be deeply missed by her brother Thomas and sister-in-law Deana Orr of Newport, Rhode Island, her nephews Ben Ellcome of Exeter, Rhode Island and Thomas Orr, Jr. and Nicholas Orr of Newport, Rhode Island, her best friend David Paul-Jones of Youngstown, New York, and so many others. She was pre-deceased by her parents George and Susan Orr, her brother George Orr, III. and her sister Judy, brother-in-law Davey, and niece Sarah Ellcome. A memorial service is planned for July. In lieu of flowers, donations should be made to Meals on Wheels of Niagara Falls (https://www.mownf.org/) or the Youngstown Sailing Foundation of the Youngstown Yacht Club, 491 Water St, Youngstown, NY 14174. Arrangements entrusted to HARDISON FUNERAL HOMES INC. LEWISTON. Please visit www.hardisonfuneralhomes.com for online condolences.