Betty Clarice Odell died peacefully at home on June 23, 2004,
after a short illness.
Betty Clarice Odell died peacefully at home on June 23, 2004, after a short illness.
She was born February 24, 1928, in San Jose to Carl and Margaret (Marquardt) Odell (deceased), who were longtime property owners and residents in San Martin.
She was an active member of the Gilroy Grange, Native Daughters of the Golden West, a youth leader in 4-H, Campfire, and Boy Scouts and she was an active member of San Martin Presbyterian Church.
Mrs. Odell was a graduate of Abraham Lincoln High School and studied library science at San Jose State University.
She enjoyed serving two years as a publishing assistant at the Morgan Hill Times and wrote a weekly column for a time. She also served as a substitute teacher in the Morgan Hill Unified School District.
She lived in Redwood City between 1985 and 1995, at which time she retired to Lewiston and was a member of Lewiston Community Church, Lewiston Garden Club, and ”Delitterbugs.”
As ”Grandma Betty,” she worked with ”Project Read” and Awanas and delighted many with her stories at ”Singspiration.”
She was the beloved mother of six: Peggy Schumacher (deceased), Judy Smallwood (spouse Doug), Terry Johnson (spouse Susan), Bill Gordon (spouse Kathy), Marty Cummings (spouse Denise) and Melany Wilks (spouse Sandy). She was grandmother to Carl and Lance Schumacher; Aaron, Brandon, and Beth Gordon; Andrew and Garrett Cummings; and great-grandmother to five. She was ”Aunt Betty” to Barb and Tom Powderly and their children Beth and T.J.
A memorial service and celebration of her life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, July 2, 2004, at Lewiston Community Church. Refreshments will be served.
The family asks that memorial donations be made to City Ministries International (P.O. Box 882194, San Francisco, CA 94188-2194), or Lewsiton Community Church Awanas, Lewiston Road, Lewiston, CA 96052.
