Mary Louise Ordway

Mary Louise Ordway, 75, of Asheville, NC passed away Saturday, October 18, 2025 at her home.

Louise was born on November 10, 1949 in Sylva, NC to the late Ethan Allen Ordway and Lorraine Baldwin. She is also preceded in death by her brothers, Duncan and Leslie Ordway.

Louise graduated from UNC Asheville with a Bachelor of Arts and from Western Carolina University with a Master of Arts. Louise dedicated much of her life to helping others, particularly adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was a committed volunteer with the Arc of North Carolina's LIFEguardianship program and took on leadership roles as Vice Chair of the Protegee Review Committee for the Arc of North Carolina West and as Advisory Chair for the Arc of Buncombe County. Her service also included a position on the Advisory Board for Support Solutions.

Surviving Louise is her son, Ethan Allen Ordway (Amy) of Mars Hill, NC; daughter, Lori Ordway of Asheville, NC; sister, Charlotte Cabe; brothers, James Ordway, Ethan “Buzz” Ordway; grandsons, Bruce Edwards (Laura), Liam Ordway, Connor Ordway, and Jackson Ordway.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM on November 1, 2025 at North Point Baptist Church Fellowship Hall.

In Lieu of flowers please donate to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

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