EDITOR’S NOTE: UPDATE – due to winter storm warnings for Saturday January 13th, Orella Chadwick’s family is POSTPONING her services. Please note – Orella Chadwick’s services scheduled for Saturday January 13, 2024 are cancelled. The services have been rescheduled to Saturday, January 27, 1:00pm, Tillamook Methodist Church, “Happy Hour” potluck appetizers to follow.
Stay safe out there this weekend.
Born in the family Cedar Hills, New Mexico adobe home and deceased in her Tillamook, Oregon dream home 104 years later, Orella Holloway Chadwick died naturally Christmas Eve morning, December 24, 2023. Orella lived through 100+ years of history between two world pandemics. In her lifetime there was the Great Depression, WWII and subsequent wars, the moon landing, 911, and massive inventions like cars, indoor plumbing-electricity-water, phone-tv-computers, and household appliances. A Junior High School World History teacher she read all that history avidly, travelled, living her life to the fullest.
Orella’s Tillamook history began when she and her husband Virgil, and 4 children moved to Tillamook in 1952 to dairy farm fulltime. A hard working and community-minded family, Tillamook was the best place for them to permanently settle. Orella taught school for 19 years, while being a devoted wife and mother, community volunteer, and home manager. She was a leader in Farm Bureau, the Tillamook United Methodist Church, Camp Fire Girls, Toastmistress, June Dairy Month parades, family genealogy, and Chamber of Commerce member where she was voted Citizen of the Year. She was voted Woman of the Year also. She received many Farm Buruea awards. She was present for her children’s 4-H, piano and dance lessons, Camp Fire Girls, sports, and scholastics. Orella had a lasting influence on her children, family, friends, students, and community.
Over many years, Orella obtained an education Bachelor’s Degree from Eastern Oregon College and Western College. She and Virgil travelled extensively with their children and as a couple. They adopted a Laotian family and hosted YMCA students from Japan.
Orella is survived by 3 of 4 children, 9 living grandchildren, and 2 great great grandchildren (2d one to be born in February). Orella loved flowers. Donations can be made to Methodist Church and Tillamook Community College Virgil Chadwick Agriculture Scholarship.
To many Orella was an icon in the community. She will be greatly missed by us as she happily joined God in heaven.
Due to a winter storm, Orella’s celebration of her life scheduled for Saturday, January 13, 2024, 3:30pm, Tillamook United Methodist Church, followed by appetizer potluck (a family tradition) IS CANCELLED. The services have been rescheduled to Saturday, January 27, 1:00pm, Tillamook Methodist Church, “Happy Hour” potluck appetizers to follow.
Orella’s birthday will be celebrated with burial at Cove, Oregon cemetery Saturday, April 27, 2024, 2:00pm.