Orlene Kreger Makinson, of Brentwood TN, formerly of Akron OH and Bloomfield Hills and Detroit MI, died January 20, 2022.
Born in Detroit Michigan March 20, 1932 to Virginia (Maurice) Kreger and Orley Warren Kreger, Orlene graduated from Cooley High School in 1949. She received her teaching degree from Wayne State University, Detroit. She later earned her M.A. in Public Education Administration from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Orlene was a Detroit Public School teacher; and she was a really good one! She taught Latin and Spanish at Mackenzie High School for many years, and later became Language Department Head at Denby H.S., where she revived the Latin program there. Her love of Latin (and all things classical) was unending, joyful, and inclusive. She sponsored the Latin Club at Mackenzie, assigning a Roman or Greek name to each student; and organizing field trips, picnics, and tours. The Latin Club even led an occasional "song fest" for the whole school, where club members encouraged everyone to sing along – IN LATIN. A favorite was "Oh! You Beautiful Doll." Many a student of hers remembers with fondness and still answers to names such as "Apollo," "Canis," and "Medusa." Orlene's teaching career expanded to include a year-long teacher exchange at Portadown Grammar School, County Antrim, Northern Ireland in 1964/5, where she made life-long friendships (and met the Queen Mother, Elizabeth, at the end of the exchange).
After retiring, Orlene and her husband, David Makinson, moved to Akron OH, and enjoyed wonderful years there, finding new friends, new interests and causes. Orlene joined the Akron Symphony Guild and worked enthusiastically on the annual Lakes Tour, co-chairing that event at least twice. She also served as President of the Guild. She joined the P.E.O. Sisterhood. They also enjoyed attending the Blossom Festival, and visiting the penguins at the Akron Zoo.
When David died in December 2008, Orlene steeled herself for life alone. She remained in Ohio for six more years, but decided to move once again; this time to Brentwood TN to join her friend and fellow exchange teacher, Lucille, as a resident of The Heritage at Brentwood. Orlene fit right into this retirement community she had visited several times. She made friends, served on the Heritage Library Committee, transferred to the local P.E.O. Chapter C, Nashville, joined Brentwood United Methodist Church and, within, the thought-filled Robert L. Moore Sunday Class. She also attended Nashville Symphony concerts, and LOVED the Brentwood Library's amazing Children's section. Eventually, due to failing health, she moved into Somerfield, the Nursing Section of Heritage, just before Covid arrived. There she became "a very contented hermit" (her words) in her final two years of life.
At a young age Orlene was invited by a neighbor girl to attend Vacation Bible School one summer. She enjoyed it so much that she asked her parents if they would take her to church. They did, and from that beginning, the Kreger family became devout Christians. In her lifetime, O was a member of Covenant Baptist Church, Detroit MI; Westminster Presbyterian Church, Akron OH; The Bath Church-UCC, Akron OH; and Brentwood United Methodist Church, Brentwood TN. She truly spent her life "Standing on the Promises of God."
Orlene is survived by her sister, Debora (Bill) Peila of Portola CA. and step-daughter Ann (Doug) Stokes of Kansas City MO, and three grandchildren. A memorial service will be held on May 21, 12 noon, at The Bath Church–UCC, 3980 West Bath Road, Akron OH, preceded by visitation from 11a to 12n.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Detroit Symphony Orchestra friends@dso.org; Akron Symphony Guild https://akronsymphony.org ; P.E.O. Foundation Scholarships, 3700 Grand Ave., Des Moines IA 50312; The Bath Church-UCC, 3980 West Bath Road, Akron OH; or the charity/cause of your choice.
The ashes of both Orlene and David will be placed in the Bath Church Memorial Garden.
Her loved ones wish to thank the nurses, aides, and staff at Heritage/Somerfield and the Aveanna Hospice staff for the patient, tender, and loving care they gave Orlene. "O tu bella pupa!" [Medusa]
Posted online on March 02, 2022
Published in The Detroit News, Detroit Free Press