Obituary of Goldie Oddan

B I O G R A P H Y ODDAN: Goldie Eileen Oddan passed away in the Jubilee Home, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Wednesday, October 26, 2005 at the age of 89 years. Goldie is survived by her loving daughters: Beverly and her husband Lorne Foote of Lloydminster and Darlene Oddan also of Lloydminster; four granddaughters: Shannon and her husband Eugene Roberge of Moose Jaw, Kristy and her husband Darrik Reiber of Lloydminster, Kari and her husband Dave Bryson of Lloydminster and Amber Oddan also of Lloydminster; eight great grandchildren, one sister Sylvia and her husband Jim Broley of Marshall as well as numerous other relatives. Goldie was predeceased by her parents Anna and Charles Westcott and by her husband John, four brothers-in-law, one sister-in-law, five nephews and one niece. The funeral service for Goldie was conducted from St. John’s Anglican Church, Lloydminster, Saskatchewan on Monday, October 31, 2005 at 10:30 A.M. with Reverend David Turvey officiating. Loving tributes were given by Shannon Roberge and Amber Oddan. Scripture readings were by Kristy Reiber and Kari Bryson. A solo “Be Not Afraid,” was sung by Deadre Walters. Hymns sung were “All Things Bright and Beautiful,” and “In The Garden,” accompanied on the organ by Pat Skinner. Honorary pallbearers were all those who shared in Mother’s life. Active pallbearers were: Eugene Roberge, Darrik Reiber, Dave Bryson, Harald Petersen, Harold Oddan and Michael Willard. Interment followed in the Marshall Cemetery. Goldie was born in Mile City, Montana January 8, 1916. When she was 10, Goldie, along with her family made the adventurous journey by wagon and train from their Montana farm to the Lloydminster area. She attended Manix, Golden Valley and Lloydminster schools. After her sister Sylvia arrived Goldie was kept busy entertaining her and later home-schooling her for a few years. In 1935, she met John and in 1941 they eloped. Times were tough with no money for a wedding. Their honeymoon consisted of traveling by sleigh and horses to spend time with her many new relatives, then returning to John’s farm south of Lloydminster. After the births of their two daughters Beverly and Darlene, they moved north of Marshall. In 1965 Goldie began a career in Real Estate working for Jakubiec Realty for a year before forming their own company “Oddan Realty”. In 1968 they moved to the Southminster district and Goldie remained there until October of 2004. Forty years ago this month, Goldie along with a handful of others, formed the Lloydminster S.P.C.A. She was coerced into being president for one or two meetings but remained in that position for 20 years. Her compassion for animals began at a very young age when she worried about the wild horses in Montana. Hardly old enough to talk, she called them “the wange widows”. This care and concern continued throughout her life and in 1985 she was honored by being the second recipient of the Zeke Young Memorial Award by the Alberta S.P.C.A. for her outstanding contribution to animal welfare. In 1983 her life changed with the sudden passing of John. With Beverly and Lorne and family and Sylvia and Jim nearby Goldie once again enjoyed many happy years of family life. She and Darlene contemplated a move to town but with the arrival of Amber in their home she was once again immersed in the role of parenting - a job she did so very well. Goldie enjoyed this three-generation household until a year ago when her poor health forced her move into Jubilee Home. Though this wasn’t home - the love and care of the nursing staff made the transition seamless and soon they became her second family. They were an amazing support to us all and ensured her comfort right up until her passing when she went home to Papa John. McCaw Funeral Service Ltd., of Lloydminster administered the funeral arrangements. Card of Thanks Goldie’s family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude for the many acts of kindness during this sad time. A special thank you to Reverend Canon Turvey and all those who contributed to the celebration of mother’s life in such a meaningful way; Dr. R. Duplooy and Jubilee Home for their loving care; Southminster Community Society for the delicious lunch and Glenn McCaw and McCaw Funeral Service for their compassionate handling of the arrangements. Donations in memory of Goldie may be made to the SPCA or to a charity of the donor's choice.