Barbara Elizabeth Orr

Barbara Elizabeth (McIntosh) Orr died on July 30, 2024 surrounded by family. While her death was unexpected, her family takes comfort knowing that she is with her beloved husband Lionel. Barb was born February 23, 1952 in Tonasket to Jim and Josephine McIntosh, the third of six children. The family moved to Omak and after graduating from Omak High School in 1970, Barb attended Western Washington State College (now University) to become an elementary teacher. Before her senior year of college, Barb met and married Lionel Orr, a love story that would last for over forty years until his illness and death. In addition to becoming an instant parent to Lionel’s two young sons, Quail (Lionel Jr.) and Cory, Barb traveled back and forth from Omak to college to finish her final year. She accepted a position in Omak School District at North Omak Elementary, where she would work her entire thirty-year teaching career. To generations of children, Barb was “Mrs. Orr,” a teacher many of her former students would call their favorite. She welcomed two more children, Jeremy and Eva, and became a second mom or Auntie Barb to many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends of her children. Barb retired from teaching in 2004, the same year her granddaughter, Iris, was born. Retirement did not last too long and Barb worked for the Educational Service District providing Special Education training. She eventually returned to Omak School District as the part-time Special Education Director for a number of years. When her daughter Eva married, Barb became a grandma again to Eva’s stepchildren Ann and Nick and later a great-grandma to their children. Barb was outgoing, friendly, and seemed to know everybody. Her Facebook posts were legendary and classic Barb: often silly, always positive, and usually making fun of herself. She loved to keep in touch with family, friends, and former students, especially her siblings, whom she communicated with almost daily. Her commitment to her family and to the education of so many young students will be her legacy. Barb is survived by her children and their families: sons Quail Orr, Cory Orr, and Jeremy Orr, and daughter Eva Orr; her siblings and their families: brothers Gary McIntosh and Dean McIntosh and sisters Ginger Corum, Patty Katz, and Kerrie Smith; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews. The family is honoring Barb’s request and will not have funeral services. Instead, a celebration of Barb’s life will be held on September 28, 2024 at the Omak Long House. More information will be forthcoming.

Barbara Elizabeth Orr

February 23, 1952 - July 30, 2024