Jennifer Ann Orr

Jennifer Ann Orr passed away peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Jennifer was born in Brisbane, Queensland Australia. She pursued a career in nursing, specializing in childbirth and midwifery. She soon met her beloved husband Malcolm of more than 50 years. After having twins, Katharine and Mitchell, Jennifer and Malcolm set off on a two-year American adventure for Malcolm’s work in Anesthesia and Biochemistry, a postdoctoral fellowship. While in Pittsburgh, PA, Jennifer and Malcolm had two more children, Victoria and Lachlan, and then they decided to remain in America and raise their family.

In 1978, Jennifer and her family moved to San Antonio, TX. At the time of their arrival, there was no International welcoming Committee in place. In 1984, Jennifer and Malcolm established the International Visitors Alliance, a non-profit organization that welcomed visiting International scholars at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio. Over 23 years, Jennifer and Malcolm dedicated themselves to welcoming International visitors and their families through the International Alliance. It was their understanding of living in a new country without close family connections that fulfilled Jennifer’s devotion to the International community in town for an all-inclusive, multicultural gathering. Both Malcolm and Jennifer were honored with the 2007 Special Presidential Award for their tireless efforts in establishing and nurturing the International Alliance at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio.

Jennifer was a woman of great faith who strongly believed in the power of prayer for her family and friends. Jennifer was an extraordinary wife, mother, and grandmother who deeply loved and devoted herself to her husband, children, and grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her beloved husband Malcolm and her sister Diane. In Brisbane, QLD Australia, she is survived by her brother Ian and his wife Irena; and Malcolm’s sisters, Aldyth, Meredith, and Judith. In the United States, she is survived by her four children, Katharine and her husband Luis Balbuena and their daughters Alexis and Natalie (Marshall, TX); Mitchell (San Antonio, TX); Lachlan and his wife Aline Orr (Austin, TX); and Victoria Orr-Kirsch and her children, Mackenzie, and Travis (San Antonio, TX).

Funeral services will be conducted by Dan Milford on October 4, 2021, at 1 p.m., and internment at 2 p.m. Please join us in celebrating Jennifer’s extraordinary life. A virtual LiveStream is available for Jennifer’s International family and friends.