Mary Janine Orzes

She was born to Robert J. Helser Sr. and Pauline Metzger Helser on June 7, 1952 in Zanesville, Ohio.

Jan graduated from Sheridan High School in Thornville, Ohio; she then received a B.F.A in Design in 1976 from Arizona State University in Tempe, Arizona. Jan later earned a M.A in Arts History from Arizona State in 1984. While at Arizona State, Jan designed and installed several art exhibitions in conjunction with the University. Jan also published articles in “African Art in Cultural Context” (1980); Harry Wood Gallery Catalog at Arizona State University (1976-77); and completed 100+ page thesis “The Sphinx as the Femme Fatale” in 1984. She also worked as a Teaching Assistant in the ASU Art History Department (1979-1981). She then moved to Dallas, Texas in 1985, and worked several temporary assignments for various law firms, including Malouf, Lynch & Jackson; Locke Purnell Rain Harrell, and Strasburger & Price. Jan worked at the Dallas Museum of Art from 1985 to 1988 as an Administrative Assistant to the Deputy Director / Chief Curator. Among various duties at the DMA, she coordinated curatorial division office functions including photography scheduling and served as an editorial assistant for the DMA Annual Report.

From 1988 to 1989 Jan worked as an Administrative Assistant to the President and CEO of Trammell Crow Corporate Services, where she prepared commercial marketing proposals, slide-shows and presentations, interacted with all Trammell Crow Corporate offices throughout the US and prepared budget reports.

Jan also worked as an Administrative Assistant to partners and associates at Locke Lord LLP, beginning in 1989 with Locke Purnell Rain and Harrell, a predecessor firm to Locke Lord LLP. She continued in that capacity until earlier this year. Jan developed many close friendships with her work associates over her 30+ years at Locke Lord LLP, where her contagious laugh and “can do” attitude will be missed.

Janine was a dog lover and a dedicated, tireless dog rescuer. She devoted her passion for saving dogs to helping dogs all over Texas in high kill shelters and those abandoned on the streets. For the last nine years, she provided statewide support to getting dogs saved through Chicagoland Lab Rescue (CLR). It is estimated that Janine helped CLR coordinate the saves of well over 1,000 Texas dogs. She had enormous compassion and loved this work, and gave so much of her time, energy, and funds to get dogs saved, fostered, and placed in loving homes. We have lost an incomparable rescue partner and wonderful friend and know her spirit lives on in the many happy tail wags she is responsible for. Like she always said to us, “Thank you for helping Texas dogs” Janine. We love you.

She is survived by her brother, Robert J Helser Jr. (Crystal) and their daughter, Amanda Hanning (Kyle) and their children, Clara and Levi.

Jan is predeceased by her parents, Robert J Helser Sr. and Pauline Metzger Helser.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.Sparkman-Crane.com for the Orzes family.