Helen Orr passed away in October 2006, some weeks after her husband and Swanwick companion Bob Orr had died.

Helen had been in hospital for three weeks, and died
on Sunday, October 22, from liver cancer.

If you want to send condolence cards, her son Graham's
address is:

Graham Orr
44 Merrylee Park Avenue
Giffnock,
G46 6HR

Below we include some memories of Helen.

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From Katy Clarke Swanwick chairman

We are all, I am sure, shocked to hear of Helen's passing, and so soon after she lost Bob.

Helen was so familiar to us at Swanwick, plenty of laughter, warmth and so much to offer others.

Helen will be greatly missed.

This is a very hard time for Helen and Bob's family. We can but offer our support and thoughts at this dreadful time.

From Chris Gibbs

I was so saddened to hear that Bob Orr's widow Helen had died.

I've sent condolences to their son Graham; the poor chap must be devastated after losing both parents in a matter of weeks.

Little did I think when I wrote to Helen offering sympathy over Bob that she herself would soon be gone. let's hope that if there is indeed an after life, that they both will be together.

They were a really nice couple who will be remembered for their dedication to Swanwick, and always ready to give help to aspiring writers.

From Mike Brewer

It is always a shock when marriage partners both pass away within a brief span of time, but at least it means that neither is left alone; such is the case with Helen and Bob.

Although I did not know them well, I was in touch with them quite a bit while they were putting together ‘End of an Era’, the marvellous miscellany about our much-loved Garden House. What a good job they made of it! What a team! It is worth remembering that all profits went to charity.

As well as sharing the editing and compiling, Helen made two notable contributions to the contents: one a detailed account of how Franz Von Werra didn’t become ‘The One that Got Away’ until he got to Canada, and the other a Garden House Swansong, to be sung to the tune ‘Poor Judd is Dead’.

In 2003, Helen and Bob kindly introduced me to Joan Patrick, who like von Werra, stayed at The Hayes before the Summer School started.

I’m sure Helen will be greatly missed by all of her many friends.

Mike Brewer

Recent years saw the passing of other Swanwick stalwarts.

We note their passing. here