Alice Ingwersen Orr

Alice Telfer Ingwersen Orr led a life filled with artistic and creative pursuits, a deep passion for her family and a heart for contributing her special talents in service to her community. She reminded her family often that she and her beloved husband Duke (Duncan Hamilton Orr, 1929 – 2018) had shared “a wonderful life” together and she admonished her children to “love each other” and their families. She was returned to the Lord on April 9, 2024, with her son Jon at her bedside.

After a suburban Chicago childhood in Flossmoor, Illinois and graduation from Homewood Flossmoor High School, Alice studied Fine Arts at the University of Colorado, Boulder from 1948-1952. It was there that she met Duke who had dated Alice’s roommate but soon realized who the real prize was. Married in 1952, they then welcomed Charles in 1956, Stuart in 1958 and Jonathan in 1961. Alice’s dedication to the art of homemaking and parenting was evidenced in her commitment to serving in leadership roles for her son’s extensive scouting, music and sports endeavors.

Raised with a strong sense of service for the betterment of the community, Alice led art projects that raised funds for numerous non-profits. For Houston Hospice, Alice lent her formidable skill in art and teaching to design and produce hand-painted notecards which were then sold across retail outlets. A prolific knitter, she produced countless blankets for the Houston-based Project Linus which provides handmade blankets to children who are seriously ill, suffering from trauma or otherwise in need.

In 1975, with her sons growing independence, Alice became a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) and worked in West Houston at Memorial Hermann Hospital where she contributed to a challenging role in hospice.

Alice always found a way to return to her heart’s calling to create art. She remained a prolific painter throughout her life with her work now gracing the homes of her children. She was known for vibrant florals, landscapes and abstract scenes working in oil, acrylic and watercolors and even expanding into the medium of stained glass.

Alice and Duke’s abiding friendship and love carried them through an extensive exploration of the world. Their adventures included numerous trips to Western and Eastern Europe. They then added Australia, New Zealand, and Indonesia. More locally, their travels across the U.S., Canada, Central America and Mexico led to a deep appreciation of the natural beauty in the southwest and their curation of an indigenous art collection of museum quality which the family retains to this day.

Alice was preceded in death by husband Duncan Hamilton Orr; her son Charles; parents Henry Newton Ingwersen, Sr and Isabel Christina Spence Ingwersen; and siblings Henry N. Ingwersen Jr, Mary Ingwersen, and Janet C. Ingwersen.

Alice leaves behind eight grandchildren who were enriched by having Alice in their lives: Melodye (Martinez) Ranyak (Kyle), Nick Martinez, Andrew Orr, Isabella Orr, Miles Orr, Sophia Hanani, Evan Hanani, and Natalie Hanani.