Marian Elizabeth Cochrane Orr

She was born on November 20, 1929 to the late Col. Warren O. and Rebekah O. Cochrane in Charlotte. North Carolina. Marian graduated from Derita High School and then Queens College - finishing her college degree before her 20th birthday. She later went back to the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and received her bachelor’s degree in accounting. She worked as a legal secretary, bookkeeper and tax preparer. Marian lived in Charlotte all of her life. She was an avid fan of Charlotte’s Panthers football team and Hornets basketball team. However, Marian’s greatest legacy is the countless children she taught to swim over her lifetime. Her love of the lake and boating with her family made her adamant about water safety. She insisted on swimming lessons for her kids. She became a volunteer swim instructor and coach at the Johnson YMCA in North Charlotte. Then, for 20 years, she and her sister Sarah worked summers at the Windsor Park Swim Club, running the swim lesson program. She was an active member of her church, Plaza Presbyterian Church. According to Marian, her proudest achievement was raising her children and ensuring that they all received a college education.

Marian is survived by her five children, three daughters - Terry O. Ormand of Goose Creek, SC, Rebekah A. Orr of Charlotte and Leslie O. Firebaugh of Hardy, VA and two sons - Michael L. Orr (Debbie) of Clover, SC and Philip W. Orr of Hardy, VA; 11 grandchildren; and 13 great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her two sisters - Margaret Cochrane Hinton and Sarah Lee Cochrane Rodgers.

A memorial service will be held 1:00 PM Saturday, January 21st at Plaza Presbyterian Church, 2304 The Plaza, Charlotte, NC 28205.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Plaza Presbyterian Church.

Arrangements by Wilson Funeral & Cremation Service, 5301 Albemarle Road, Charlotte, NC 28212 (704-568-2106).