Marlene Orr

Marlene Samra Orr:  6/28/1939 - 5/26/2023

Marlene Samra Orr (83) died peacefully on May 26th, 2023 in El Paso Texas.
Trisagion and Funeral will be held at Saint George Orthodox Church (7515 E 13th Street, Wichita Kansas 67206) on Monday June 12, 2023 at 7:00PM.
Graveside blessing and burial will be held Tuesday June 13, 2023 at Old Mission Wichita Park Cemetery (3424 East 21st Street Wichita Kansas, 67208) at 10:00 AM. There will be a Meal of Mercy following the burial at YaYa's (8115 East 21rst Street, North Wichita Kansas 67206)

Marlene B. Samra was born on June 28, 1939, in Wichita Kansas to Victoria Farha and Bediah Samra.  Her beloved brother Jay came three years later. Marlene attended Wichita West High School. Marlene went on to an outstanding academic career graduating Magna Cum Laude from Wichita State University, followed by graduate studies at the University of Nebraska. She went on to work at the University of Chicago press in the 1960’s. Marlene married Kenneth T. Orr in 1963, in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois.  They moved back to Topeka, Kansas in 1970 where Marlene and Ken ran the Ken Orr Institute for over 30 years. The Ken Orr Institute was  one of the leading systems and software research organizations in the world and Marlene used her exceptional editorial skills to edit the company's books and materials. 

Marlene also passionately loved reading, cooking, shopping, and watching the Hallmark Channel. 

Marlene was an amazing friend, mother, grandmother, sister, and spouse who dedicated her life to her family and was a lifelong member of Saint George’s Orthodox Church. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

Marlene is preceded in death by Kenneth T. Orr and Jay Samra.

Marlene is survived by her loving daughters Katie and Paige, and stepdaughters Nancy and Judy, along with sons-in-law Mike, Tim, and David. She has four grandchildren Gus, Daniel, Joy, and Grace and six great-grandchildren, Anjali, Karis, Mercy, Benaiah, Rosemary, and Walter.

Memorials have been established with:

Huntington’s Clinic

9300 E. 29th St. N., Ste. 350

Wichita, KS 67226

Susan G. Komen Foundation

13770 Noel Rd., Ste. 801889

Dallas, TX 75380