Lois Jannette Odell, a resident of Springville, New York for 58 years, passed away surrounded by her family, after a long illness, on Monday, January 23, 2017, at her daughter’s home in Caledonia, New York.
Lois was born July 16, 1935 in Erie, Pennsylvania, daughter of the late Ross and Martha Orton. She graduated, the valedictorian, in 1953, from Ripley Central High School. She attended the University of Rochester where she received her degree and became a Registered Nurse. She went on to earn a Master of Science in Health Education from the University of Buffalo. After several years of nursing, she worked as the School Nurse teacher, for 19 years, at Springville Griffith Institute. Then she, along with her husband, owned and operated a retirement home in Springville for 10 years before retiring in 1996.
Mrs. Odell was a longtime member of the First Presbyterian Church of Springville where she was active in Bible Study and was instrumental in developing the church library. She was a member of the Springville chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma and an Honorary Empire Farmer (FFA). Lois also volunteered many hours of time to Girl Scouts, Love, Inc., Salvation Army and several other community organizations. Her passions included traveling to visit family and friends, genealogy, gardening and books. Above all, Lois was devoted to her family. She was married, for 61 years, to her high school sweetheart, and together they raised three daughters and fostered several children, including Wilma Sebzda.
Lois will be remembered for her generosity, her outgoing, energetic, vivacious personality, her beautiful smile, her contagious laugh and telling her “short” stories.
Lois is survived by her beloved family: husband, Rodney Odell; three children: Colleen (Edward) Schiedel, Sharon (Eugene) Rothenberg and Laurel Odell; two brothers: J. Roy (Carol) Orton and Donald (Shirley) Orton; brother-in-law, Robert (Carol) Odell; sister-in-law, Beatrice Odell; seven grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be 9:00 – 11:00am on Saturday, February 4, at the First Presbyterian Church of Springville. A Memorial Service will be conducted in the sanctuary of the church at 11:00am.
In lieu of flowers, please send a memorial gift to the First Presbyterian Church of Springville, 38 N. Buffalo Street, Springville, NY 14141.