Irene Ellen Parr

Irene Ellen (Hunt) Parr April 18, 1923 - February 21, 2009 ROSEBURG - On August 3, 2008 Irene Parr (85) went outside to fill the birdfeeders on her patio. She fell and hit her head. And so began a journey through four hospitals and three rehabilitation centers and eventually home. Irene died February 21, 2009 at her home in Roseburg, Oregon surrounded by family and friends. Irene was born April 18, 1923 in Pueblo, Colorado to parents LeRoy Emmet Hunt and Irene (Evans) Hunt. In 1924, the family moved to Hutchinson, Kansas where Irene graduated from high school in 1941. Her high school geometry teacher, Miss Ola M. Thomas, provided a scholarship for Irene to attend Grace Hospital School of Nursing in Hutchinson. In 1947, Irene followed her parents to Klamath Falls, Oregon where she worked in the office of Dr. Farley. In 1952, Irene moved to Roseburg with her husband, Joseph Francis Fridlund (married September 1950) and their daughter, Linda Ellen Fridlund (born May 1951) and their son, William Francis Fridlund (born April 1952). Irene and Joe were later divorced. Irene married Elmer Leroy Chamberlain December 1958. He died July 1963. Irene was employed at the Veterans Adminstration Hospital until 1974. There she met the true love of her life, Roscoe Dean Parr. Irene and Roscoe were married August 1970. They were active together in local Masonic affiliated organizations. Together they were past Royal Matron and past Royal Patron of the Order of Amaranth, Douglas Court No. 18. They traveled to Hawaii, across Canada by train, to Washington D.C., and cross country by automobile. In later years, they loved spending time on the Oregon Coast. Irene was preceded in death by her husband, Roscoe in 1997; and by her sister, Leona Claire Spires. Irene is survived by a daughter, Linda E. Williams (West Salem); a son, William F. Chamberlain (Roseburg); grandchildren, Irene E. Williams (Tigard), William J. Chamberlain (Portland), Beverly Jai Miller (Klamath Falls), Hyla E. Burge (Salem); great-grandchildren, Paige A. Williams (Tigard), James Ray Chamberlain (Portland), Erika Miller (Bend), Zack Miller, Lyric Trullinger, Samara Louch, and Hope Louch (all of Klamath Falls). She is also survived by a sister and brother-in-law, Beverly and Jerry Barney (Ojai, Calif.); and a sister and brother-in-law, Sheila and Franz Witte (Port Townsend, Wash.); and several nieces and nephews. Irene was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Roseburg. She was a life member of the Order of Amaranth and Eastern Star. She also belonged to the Daughters of the Nile. Irene was a life-long learner and an avid reader. Irene enjoyed flower arranging and prepared the memorial wreaths for local Amaranth members for several decades. She enjoyed gardening, bird watching, crossword puzzles, classical music, community concerts, movies, the theatre, and classes offered through her church. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 2 at the First Presbyterian Church, 823 SE. Lane Ave, Roseburg, Ore. 97470. All are invited to a reception to be held downstairs in the fellowship hall after the service. Please bring memories to share. If unable to attend please send memories for a scrapbook to be given to Irene's grandchildren to Linda E. Williams, P.O. Box 13555, Salem, Ore. 97309. In lieu of flowers, gifts in memory of Irene may be given to the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund (to be used for adult Christian education), to the Order of Amaranth, Douglas Court No. 18, 920 SE. Cass St., Roseburg, Ore. 97470 (to be used for diabetes research) or to the Pulmonary Hypertension Society.