Elise Reiner Orr

When someone is identified as a natural leader, certain images come to mind. First thoughts are of a no-nonsense, tough-minded, dedicated and disciplined person. This description accurately fits Elise Orr who was indeed a born manager. She will be remembered as being highly organized, practical and realistic. She was a person who always carried a strong sense of duty with her throughout her life. Possessed with traditional “old school” morals, Elise was an individual who clearly communicated to those around her just who she was and what she was all about. Everyone acquainted with Elise knew her as a well-respected woman who was a stable force in her community.

Elise was born on September 13, 1924 at Oak Park Women's Hospital in Oak Park, Illinois. Her parents were Fred and Rose Reiner. Elise was raised in Oak Park, Forest Park & River Forest, Illinois. Even as a youngster, Elise learned to be objective and decisive. Her faith in the principles of authority and dependability was something that she carried with her throughout her life.

As a young girl, Elise was able to put her natural abilities to work. She was a bit like the sergeant of the family, helping to make sure that the others did what they should do and that they avoided those things they weren’t supposed to. In other words, she liked to organize and direct. Elise was raised with one sibling. She had one younger brother, Fred. Elise had an inborn appreciation for the order in the family, allowing for the oldest members to be the most respected and to take on the most responsibility. For Elise, this was a natural order of life, one she gladly embraced.

Elise's matter-of-fact attitude about most things was developed during her childhood. As a young girl, Elise enjoyed being part of teams, and organizations and groups of other kids who shared similar interests. In her spare time she liked to play the piano and sew her own clothes.

In school, Elise was as close to being a model student as one could possibly imagine. She sought to achieve perfect attendance in all of her classes. She would eagerly complete her homework, and often put in extra study time when she felt it was necessary. A logical and focused thinker, Elise was always good at following directions and meeting her schedules, whether they were set by her teachers or were self-imposed. Elise’s personal motto could well have been, “Do it right the first time.” She graduated from Proviso (East) High School in 1942. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was Literature. She will be remembered for performing the leading female role in "Henry Aldridge". She also gave the scoop to all writing a gossip column in the Maywood Herald about Proviso doings.

Elise was sociable and approachable. Because she was always so straightforward in how she approached relationships, friends and family knew that what they saw was always what they got. She enjoyed the camaraderie of being with a group of friends. When Elise was a member of a group, her interaction worked to keep the others grounded. She wasn’t afraid to confront her friends and, when necessary, she challenged them to stick to the task at hand. Those close to Elise came to expect her high standards of performance. While growing up, some of her best friends were Dorothy Henry, Hitty Armstrong, Helen, and Dorothy Ragsdale. Later in life, she became special friends with Dolores Fitzmaurice, ServiceMaster friends, Julia Carson, Edith Lawrence, Jackie Lucas, Dorothy Walsh, Millie Busse, Betty Reynolds, and Brigitte Meckerman, as well as friend Ann Newman.

An objective and conscientious individual, Elise reveled in the security of her family. On December 19, 1942 Elise exchanged wedding vows with Roy Earl Orr at the Justice of the Peace of Chicago, Illinois. One of Elise’s most endearing qualities was her uncanny ability to remember important dates and anniversaries, and her unending enthusiasm for organizing a celebration for her family and friends.

Elise was ever watchful of her children. She worried about them and was deeply concerned for their development as they grew up. She maintained a firm hand in their upbringing. Elise would give her stamp of approval to their requests, as long as she could see how they might benefit. She also had the ability to enforce the rules as needed to ensure that her children were properly raised. Elise was blessed with two children, one son, Roy and one daughter, Carol. They were also blessed with three grandchildren, Randy, Jason and Heather, and four great grandchildren, Peyton Elise, Nicholas, Stephanie and Allyson.

Being a hard worker who praised efficiency, Elise was always striving to make improvements where they were necessary. She was able to analyze situations and problems, keeping everything and everyone on track. An excellent project supervisor, Elise was a person who could quickly make decisions based on the information available. She worked cooperatively and expected the same from her colleagues. She participated as a Key School Mentor tutoring, a program that ServiceMaster sponsored. In both her personal and professional environments, Elise upheld her standards. Her primary occupation was executive administrative assistant. She was employed for 15 years by ServiceMaster. Elise was a team player who certainly lived out the motto of “give me a job, and I will get it done.”

Elise approached her leisure time in the same manner that she approached her life. A person who enjoyed being neat and orderly and one who understood the nature of things, she appreciated the hours she was able to devote to her various hobbies. Her favorite pursuits were gardening, travel, art appreciation and reading. Elise was content to enjoy her favorite pastimes alone but was also willing to share her interests with others.

Playing by the rules was a natural thing for Elise to do in life and that carried over to her enjoyment of sports. She also was something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were the Chicago Bears.

Being generous with her time and energy, Elise liked to belong to a variety of groups and organizations. She was a vocal leader who enjoyed being a part of things. Her desire to uphold traditions and her ability to take charge of any type of project made her a tremendous asset. Throughout her later years, Elise was an active member of the Naperville Community Associates of the Art Institute of Chicago. She participated in local outings as well as extended trips with groups of the members.

Politically, Elise was a strong supporter of the Republican Party. She loved to debate issues with people who had different points of view.

Faith was important to Elise. She held high moral standards and was worried about the moral decay she saw around her. For that reason she held deep spiritual beliefs that she was willing to share. She was a member of Yorkfield Presbyterian Church for 15 years.

When it came time to travel or take a vacation, Elise used her scheduling expertise to make sure everyone and everything was ready to go. That also meant that she made certain no single person was overworked in putting the trip together. Elise had a knack for making sure that everyone who was involved had their specific tasks and that those tasks were completed. Favorite vacations included Austria, Hawaii, England and Mexico,.

Elise was a lover of animals and cherished her pets. One of Elise’s favorites was Fancy, a silver frosted Persian. They were best friends for 14 years. Her family was rounded out by her three Himalayan cats, Muffin, Snickers and Sundae.

When Elise’s retirement finally arrived in 1991, she was well prepared. She used her critical evaluation skills to make sure that every detail had been preplanned and attended to. She continued to reside with her daughter, Carol and son-in-law, Bill in Naperville, Illinois. In retirement, she loved to spend time gardening and taking classes at COD. In many ways, Elise loved retirement. It provided her with the opportunity to catch up with her friends, attend functions and group outings, and tackle new interesting activities.

Elise passed away on March 2, 2010 at Westbury Care Center in Lisle, Illinois. Elise fought a brave battle against complications of stroke. She is survived by her children, Roy and Carol; her grandchildren, Randy, Jason and Heather; and great grandchildren, Peyton Elise, Nicholas, Stephanie and Allyson. Services were held at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home. Elise was laid to rest in Mount Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, Illinois.

All who knew her would agree that Elise was a pillar of the community. She lived her life with her feet firmly on the ground. She had a strong work ethic, was pragmatic in her thoughts and acts, and constantly sought the means for self-improvement. She was willing to share her ideas and knowledge for the benefit of others, so that they could accomplish more in their lives. Elise was a very generous and caring. Elise will be remembered as a woman of style with a beautiful smile and always well coiffed. She was very hip and could relate to people of all ages. Elise Orr did her best to ensure that her family, friends, loved ones, co-workers, and everyone whose life she touched was given the chance to become a better person for knowing her.

OBITUARY

Elise Orr, age 85. Beloved wife of the late Roy. loving mother of Roy (Gale) & Carol (Bill) Whitney. Grandmother of Randy & Jason Orr, Heather Whitney. Great grandmother of Peyton, Nicholas, Stephanie & Allyson. Sister of the late Fred Reiner. Visitation Sunday 3 to 8 p.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home, 5015 Lincoln Ave. Lisle (on Rt 53, 1/2 mile south of Ogden Ave./Rt 34) Funeral Service Monday, 10:00 a.m. at Blake-Lamb Funeral Home. Interment, Mt. Emblem Cemetery. Contributions may be made to Seasons Hospice & Palliative Care, 606 Potter Rd., Des Plaines, Il. 60016. For service info call 630-964-9392. Condolences may be offered at www.blakelambfuneralhome.com.