Professor Jean Orr CBE passed away suddenly on 11 January. As well as having founded the School of Nursing at Queen’s University, Belfast, Jean was Chair of the Wave Trauma Centre from 2014 – 2018. As the Royal College of Nursing, we are grateful for Jean’s dedication and commitment to co-editing the book Nurses’ Voices from the Northern Ireland Troubles published in 2013.
Co-editor of the book Margaret Graham shares her reflections:
“It was with great shock and deep sadness that I heard of the news of Professor Jean Orr’s death. I first encountered Jean as one of my tutors on the Health Visiting Course in 1980. She was a vibrant tutor, always challenging and encouraging students to “think”.
“Our paths crossed again in 2003 when my job entailed meetings with universities and to my surprise she remembered me as one of her students. She knew all of her students.
“When, as lead for the RCN Northern Ireland History of Nursing Network project, we began to gather narratives of nurses who had nursed through the Troubles, I unexpectedly met Jean, who hearing about the project, immediately and enthusiastically offered her services.
“Jean could read apace, making suggestions regarding theming and layout - I was in awe of how quickly her red pen could move across a page! As an academic she realised that the tenor and tone of the personal stories we had received needed to be retained and remain true for each nurse’s story.
“She listened, reflected and encouraged others to write a narrative, and she was creative. Many a day we sat at Jean’s kitchen table with the nurses’ narratives spread about, then meeting weekly at the College getting help to get stories and images into order. Despite her experience, Jean never “pulled rank” and getting the final draft of the book was a partnership between Jean, myself and the History of Nursing Network.
“While some of the stories were very harrowing to read, it was an amazing experience to work with Jean. Her laughter and imagination will remain with me.”
Pat Cullen, Director of the Royal College of Nursing in Northern Ireland said:
“Professor Jean Orr will be remembered for her vision and drive to establish the first School of Nursing and Midwifery in Northern Ireland at Queen’s University, Belfast. However, Jean’s influence did not stop there. She made an indelible mark as Chair of Wave and through co-editing the RCN book Nurses Voices’ from the Northern Ireland Troubles which was made into a BBC documentary.
“Jean was a strong advocate for nursing but also for women in leadership, and she made a lasting impression on everyone who worked with her.”
