On October 1st, in the wee hours of the morning, our beloved Odette performed the ultimate Irish goodbye and peacefully left this world to join her husband, Richard, for the eternal happy hour. She passed at home in Pasadena, California—living independently, just as she wished—until the very end.

Born December 30, 1936, in Dublin, Ireland, to Ann Walshe and Walter Edmund “Ted” Johnson, Odette was the second of five children. Though christened Bernadette Ann to satisfy Catholic canon law, she was always “Odette,” a name that suited her bold spirit. Raised amid a large extended family, she cherished time with her beloved Auntie Bee and grew up surrounded by cousins, music, storytelling, and the bustle of her parents’ hotel and pub.

Odette inherited her parents’ work ethic, curiosity, and flair for hosting. Whether helping run the family’s hotel and pub in Dublin or later welcoming friends, colleagues, and world travelers to her own table, she radiated ease, humor, and generosity. She believed you should always have a bottle of red, white, and champagne in the house—and glasses chilling in the freezer—just in case company dropped by. She never claimed to love cooking, yet somehow managed to produce meals people never forgot.

Exceptionally bright and driven, Odette excelled at Loreto Abbey Dalkey secondary school, playing the cello, field hockey, and Irish dancing. Graduating as valedictorian, she went on to complete secretarial school in Dublin. A voracious reader from childhood until her final days, she proudly devoured a book a day—mysteries, biographies, Irish novels, WWII histories—rarely meeting one she didn’t enjoy.

Odette’s life was defined by courage and adventure from emigrating with her family to Australia in 1956 to pursuing nursing at the Royal Melbourne Hospital—much to her mother’s dismay—Odette followed her own star. Nursing became her life’s work. She trained in Melbourne, traveled Europe on a shoestring, enrolled in a midwifery program in London before setting her sights on America, where she worked as a traveling nurse in Boston—delighting in the fact that she lived there during the time of the Boston Strangler

In 1965, she met Richard Felder on a double date gone awry; sparks flew, and six months later they married in Boston with her sister Deirdre by her side. Soon after, Odette and Richard drove across the country in her VW Bug to make a life in California. Their marriage—equal parts affection, spicy banter, and spirited adventure—would span more than 50 years.They settled in Sunnyvale, where in 1969 they welcomed their daughter, Hillary. Odette often said, “I only had one, but I got the best!”

Odette and Richard built a beautiful life together in California, raising their daughter Hillary, hosting unforgettable gatherings, and continuing to explore the world whenever they could.

Odette’s nursing career flourished over a span of more than 50 years—whether at Stanford Hospital, the pioneering Surgecenter in Palo Alto, or later Cedars-Sinai in Los Angeles, where she ultimately became the seasoned “Mom” and charge nurse of the outpatient surgery center. She was a mentor to countless colleagues and along with her fierce work ethic, she brought compassion, competence, and hard-won wisdom to everyone she worked with. Even in the operating room, her favorite place, she never lost her humor or her empathy.

Odette lived with intention and discipline: daily exercise, a strict diet (anchored by her legendary hard-boiled egg and grapefruit lunch), and a refusal to let age or obstacles slow her down. She ran, hiked, cross-country skied, camped, and returned to school to earn her bachelor’s degree—all while working full-time and raising her daughter. She valued financial independence and when she insisted Hillary attend a certain private high school, she took on a second nursing job to make it possible. When she wanted a little extra “fun money,” she happily worked part-time at department stores.

She was stylish in a way that was entirely hers—colorful scarves, funky necklaces, dapper hats and eclectic shoes that made you smile—shoes that made her smile even more. Her fashion sense became a form of storytelling, one she passed down to both Hillary and her grandson, Phillip.

Family was her heart and her devotion extended to Richard’s mother, Pauline, whom she cared for lovingly until her passing at age 92. She adored her siblings and especially treasured the years she and Deirdre lived in California spending many shared holidays, travels, and a mutual love of opera.

Her greatest joy came with the arrival of her grandsons. In 2002, when Luka was born, Hillary and Haris moved in for a time, giving Odette the priceless gift of helping raise him from his first days. She spent hours rocking him, feeding him, pushing him in the stroller, and reading to him. When Phillip arrived in 2005, Odette once again stepped in wholeheartedly—picking the boys up from school, babysitting on weekends, hosting sleepovers, and filling their childhoods with warmth and fun.

She never missed a school concert, game, birthday, or celebration. She baked Christmas cookies with them every year and became famous at their elementary school for her annual St. Patrick’s Day parties, complete with coveted Irish shortbread for the staff. She supported both boys’ education, playing a pivotal role in helping Luka attend college and proudly continuing the family belief that education is the greatest gift you can give. Watching them grow was the joy of her life.

After Richard’s Parkinson’s diagnosis, Odette devoted herself to his care with unwavering loyalty, driving from Pasadena to Woodland Hills every day for three years to be by his side. When he passed in 2018, she grieved deeply, but slowly reclaimed time for herself. Continuing forward with her characteristic grit—walking daily (until her foot troubles slowed her), reading voraciously, exploring new restaurants, and embracing neighborhood happy hours. She loved gathering with friends, sharing stories, and toasting in multiple languages.

In 2019, she traveled to Australia with Hillary for her brother Ted’s 80th birthday, reconnecting with loved ones she hadn’t seen in years. In 2021, she joined Hillary, Haris, and Phillip on a trip to visit Luka at college in Colorado—a memory she cherished.

Even as mobility challenges grew, Odette refused to let life grow small. She remained unmistakably herself: stylish, witty, generous, and sharp. Her humor never faded; nor did her habit of offering a pointed remark when needed—always out of love. She kept her hair, nails, and even lash extensions on point; browsed her favorite shops; enjoyed a new cocktail; and welcomed friends with warmth and humor. She was endlessly giving—often saying, “I can’t take it with me; better to enjoy it now.”

She leaves behind a legacy of strength, generosity, impeccable taste, deep loyalty, and a fierce love for her family. She lived boldly, loved widely, and cared fiercely.

Odette is survived by her daughter, Hillary Felder (Haris Hadzic); her adored grandsons Luka and Phillip Hadzic; her siblings Yvonne (Stan) Brennan, Deirdre (dec. Joe) Stephens, Ted (Mary) Johnson, and Carol (Ross) Izzard; and many loving nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, and cousins.

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