Odette was born in a small village in the south of France and moved to Paris as a girl. During her youth, she shared her time between the city and the countryside.

She lived through the Second World War in Paris before immigrating to Canada as a War bride in February of 1949.

She was a strong minded, independent and hard working woman who raised five children while fulfilling roles at an insurance company by day and a cashier at Dominion Stores by night.

All this in addition to being an awesome mother. She loved music, dancing, gardening and cooking.