Carol Diane (Menchhofer) Orr

Carol Diane Orr, 76, of Madison, IN, passed away on October 24, 2023 at home surrounded by the love of her husband and three children.

Carol was born June 5, 1947 in Ohio to Lowell Menchhofer and Alberta Menchhofer (Somers). She met her husband, Larry Wallace Orr, in Bloomington, Indiana while taking college classes and quickly won him over with her cooking and her dog. They ultimately made their home in Madison, Indiana with their three children, Andrew, Casie, and Missy!. Carol served the Madison community's eye health as an Optician for over 25 years. If you've gotten glasses from the Wal-Mart Vision Center you've probably met or seen Carol. An active member of the community, Carol always looked for ways to support her friends and family and positively benefit Madison. For several years she coordinated with the Hoosier Kite Flyers Society to annually host a free-kite building workshop at Clifty's Nature Center.

Carol's friends described how Carol shaped their lives by how she lived her values consistently. Her calm grounded the people around her and her positivity persevered through the darkest days. Carol would wake up her kids on sluggish mornings with "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah." She would resourcefully craft and create for her children and grandchildren demonstrating her lifelong love of learning. She proactively promoted sustainability and environmental preservation, positively influencing behaviors across generations.

Larry and Carol lived, raised their children, and welcomed their grandchildren Anna and Eva at the home they cultivated in Madison. They celebrated 42 adventurous years of marriage. Carol was Larry's co-pilot and she explored dozens of states and countless parks with a culminating climb to the Bristlecone Pines in Nevada at 74. Carol was always sprouting and saving seeds. Growing and preserving food and flowers - especially multi-colored zinnias, tomatoes, and beans - was a foundational rhythm of her life that connected her to her heritage.

Friends and family remember Carol's gentle presence and putter alongside her nourishing, delicious meals. She loved sharing and welcomed everyone with an open heart and probably a lasagna she had tucked back in the deep freezer. Carol's family remembers how safe and unconditionally loved she made them feel. Carol was proud of the family legacy she watched blossom over the years, and we are proud to call her Wife, Mom and Granny. She will be dearly missed.

Carol asked to be celebrated and we invite memories to be shared with her family by emailing sharememoriesofcarol@gmail.com. She will ultimately be laid to rest at the Indiana Veterans Memorial Cemetery with a private family service.

Those who wish to remember Carol in a special way may choose to support local business such as her favorite store Fountain Alley, grow zinnias, or donate to Friends of Clifty State Park noting Carol Orr's Nature Center Memorial as the intent of the donation through www.friendsofclifty.org/be-a-friend.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Carol Diane (Menchhofer) Orr, please visit our floral store.