Kay Newby Orr

Kay enjoyed life and loved to laugh with her husband Bob, family and friends. Kay was an intelligent, strong, independent woman who promoted and encouraged women to succeed, especially her much adored granddaughters. Kay graduated high school at the age of 16 in Norris City, Illinois. She went on to obtain her degree from Burnham Nursing School in Champaign, IL in 1960 and became a Registered Professional Nurse in 1961. While working full time, she married, started a family and, always striving to advance her education and career, went back to school. In 1978 she became the first in her family to graduate college, obtaining a Bachelor of Science from Elmhurst college. Driven to achieve further, she went on to earn a Master of Science in 1981 from Northern Illinois University.

Kay was the loving, proud, and caring mother of two sons, Jeff Hughes and wife Renee Tehi and Jon Hughes, with her first husband William Hughes.

On December 16, 1978 Kay married Robert Orr, her husband of 41 years and the love of her life. Kay welcomed Bob’s children, Jennifer and husband Mike Herndon, Debra Orr and husband Fraser Smith, Bob and wife Amy Orr, and Karen and husband Daniel Wright, into the family and into her heart.

Kay had a life-long passion for pets, from her childhood duck, her Manchester Terrier to her four toy Poodles. Kay enjoyed all types of movies - as long as they were critically acclaimed. Her love of music found her singing along with Neil Diamond, Queen, Aaron Tveit and many Broadway musicals enjoyed with Bob at the Fox Theatre. Kay loved to travel, especially to the ocean and the sound of its waves. And Kay loved Christmas, the music, the food, the films, the decorations and her family traditions.

Kay cherished her 8 grandchildren, Jillian and Rebekah Hughes, Monica Kantor, Drew and Ava Orr, Jake Wright, and Channing and Dexter Smith.

Kay will be missed but never forgotten by her husband, family and friends. The family will have a formal service at a later date. If you would like to pay tribute, please make donations to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation in memory of Kay Orr at https://ww5.komen.org.