Vera “Arlene” O’Dell, 71, passed away Tuesday, April 3, 2007; she is now at peace after a courageous battle with cancer. She was the loving wife of 53 years to Don O’Dell of San Martin, loving mother of Michael O’Dell and his wife, Lori of Boulder Creek and Laurie Frechette and her husband, Ben of Gilroy.
She was the grandmother of Tonya O’Dell and her fiance Brady Sears of Carlsbad, CA, and Jennifer Frechette of Gilroy, great-grandmother of Sean & Shayla O’Dell of Carlsbad, CA, Julissa Frechette-Leggett of Gilroy, sister of Lee Fisher and her husband, Doug, Margie Becker and her late husband, Don “Mick”, and Connie Morgan and her husband, Terry all of Washington.
She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins and is preceded in death by her parents, Art and Evelyn Baier.
A native of Kirkland, WA, Arlene moved to Los Altos, CA with her husband in 1955 before moving to San Martin in 1974. She worked as secretary/treasurer with her husband in O’Dell Pool Finishing, Inc. for the past 34 years.
A member of American Quarter Horse Breeders of Santa Clara Valley since 1975, she spent many years with her husband breeding, raising, and showing quarter horses as well as volunteering at AQHB of SCV annual horse shows and writing their monthly newsletters.
Arlene loved spending time with her family, especially during the holidays. She was loved by all and will be deeply missed.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 A.M. Thursday, April 12 at Habing Family Funeral Home, 129 Fourth St., Gilroy.
Her family would appreciate donations to the American Cancer Society, 747 Camden Ave. Suite B, Campbell, CA 95008-4147.
