DAWN DELAHOUSSAYE ORR was called back home by the Good Lord on August 25, 2018 after she lost her courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. Dawn was a devout Catholic. She was a woman of very strong faith and truly believed in the power and strength of Jesus Christ’s love and the beauty and peace that would await her. For those who knew Dawn, the depth of her faith was nothing less than inspiring. Her incredible faith provided her with spiritual comfort and peace of mind during her challenging times battling cancer. Dawn was 62 years old.
Dawn is survived by her beloved husband of 38 years - John Agnew Orr; her loving children Ashley Mohren (Louie); and Aggie Orr (Erika) and her stepdaughter Rachelle. “Shuggs” will be sadly missed by her adoring grandchildren Grace, Jonah, Charlotte, and Evie Mohren; Kensie, Aggie, and Jovi Orr; Braiden and Blaine Neck. She is preceded in death by her fantastic parents Al and Helen Delahoussaye. Nicknamed Angel by her father, Dawn was truly angel on earth. Big Al and Helen are now blessed to have their Angel in heaven with them. Dawn is also survived by her 9 siblings. Dee Dee Burns (Bob), Donna Booth (Denny) AJ Delahoussaye (Barbara), David Delahoussaye (Susan), Debbie Landry (Ron); Jerry Delahoussaye (Nancy), Gary Delahoussaye (Judy), Michael Delahoussaye (Sharon) and Mary Tiller (Terry). Dawn will also be sadly missed by her extended family – Tam, Madelyn and Luke.
Dawn was truly devoted to her family and her faith. She was a very caring and compassionate person who always put the needs of others before her own. Dawn treasured her time spent with her family at the “beach house”. The beach house provided so many incredible memories for Dawn and her family. Having her children and grandchildren by her side was one the experiences she most enjoyed in life. Dawn often hosted her extremely large family for Christmas parties at her home and also July 4th celebrations at her “beach house” demonstrating her commitment to “family”. Dawn was an integral participant in a group called the “Top 20”. Her 10 siblings and spouses affectionately dubbed themselves the “Top 20”. The “Top 20” enjoyed vacations together for the past 10 years or so and Dawn looked forward to these weekends where the eternal bonds of family, faith and friendship were so strongly reinforced.
Dawn grew up a tomboy and participated in every sport or game being played in neighborhood playground, “Oak Park”. She never shied away from competing with her twin brothers or the boys in the neighborhood in anything. She attended St. Francis Cabrini School in the 1960’s. Dawn graduated from Mt. Carmel Academy in 1973 and then from Nicholls State in 1977. Dawn was Homecoming queen at Nicholls State in 1975.
Dawn was a wife, a daughter, a sister, a mother, a grandmother, a sister-in-law, a godmother, a niece, a cousin and a friend who truly understood the meaning of unconditional love. This unconditional love was always on display. Dawn’s life was an example of what St. Francis of Assisi meant when he said “Preach always and when necessary use words.”
Dawn’s immense faith translated into decades of volunteer service and involvement in many prayer groups. She gave freely of her time as teacher of Come Lord Jesus program at Mt. Carmel Academy, Facilitator of Lord Teach Me to Pray program, Board Member of Woman’s New Life Center, past School Board Member for St. Dominic parish and an active parishioner in St. Angela Merici Church.
Dawn is the Woman’s New Life Center 2018 honoree. The Gala for Life event will be held on October 5th, 2018 sponsored by the Woman’s New Life Center.
Dawn’s devotion to the Blessed Mother was demonstrated by hosting a weekly recitation of the Holy Rosary for the past numbers of years. This was a time for family and friends to strengthen and deepen their faith in Jesus Christ through the intercession of the Blessed Mary. For years Dawn has written a short email to all invited to the Wednesday rosary. In these emails Dawn always concluded with the same two words, “Always Love”. Dawn was a true inspiration to all of us. ALWAYS LOVE.
Relatives and friends are invited to celebrate Dawn’s life. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 30th from 10 am – 11:45 am at St. Angela of Merici Church, 901 Beverly Garden Dr., Metairie, LA 70002. Eulogies will commence at 11:45 am with a Memorial Mass to follow at 12:00 pm. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, please consider Masses or a charitable donation to Woman’s New Life Center. To view and sign the Family Guestbook, please visit lakelawnmetairie.com.
