ForeverMissed
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This memorial website was created in memory of our loved one, Dr. Stella Shirpser Odom, 72 years old, born on February 7, 1940, and passed away on September 4, 2012. We will remember her forever.
September 9, 2012
September 9, 2012
It seems that for all of my life I would tell people, "I want to do great things." The typical response is generally a quizzical glance, a scratch of the head and the inevitable question, "Why?" But not so with you Mom. Whenever I would tell you I want to change the stars or scale a mountain, you would always say, "Why not?" And I would find encouragement to do the great thing.
September 9, 2012
September 9, 2012
Stella was such an inspiration to family, friends and co-workers. She didn't finish high school, but went on to earn a GED, BA, MA and then a Doctrate. She never quit trying to improve herself. Stella will be sincerely missed.
September 8, 2012
September 8, 2012
I love you Mom. Thank you for changing my life and always pushing me forward. I miss you.
September 8, 2012
September 8, 2012
"L'amour est la seule chose qu'on emporte dans l'éternité." de Antonine Maillet
Dearest Stella:
From the moment I met you in California in 2006, I loved your warm and witty personality. In your honor, I will watch movies in which you appeared. A bientôt dear Stella.
September 8, 2012
September 8, 2012
Dr. Stella Odom, We will miss you. We all loved and admired you. In our private conversations I got to know you as a kind, caring individual who loved her children and grandchildren unconditionally. I promise you, I will take care of and provide for Julie, until we meet again. My commitment to this family and Julie is forever. Your wishes will be followed. LOVE your son in Law :) RIP
September 8, 2012
September 8, 2012
Dear Mother, we spent 16 wonderful years together. We laughed we cried. I love the barbecues we used to have in the back yard and have a little bubbly as we chatted. You have such a gracious spirit and you wanted the best for me. We were always worried about each other. Our daily phone calls and Skype calls were so good since I lived in another state. I love you, Marty,Your Son
September 8, 2012
September 8, 2012
I will miss you so very much. I fell in love with your daughter at a time in my life when I had demons on my back. You never judged me. You came back into my life, and with your words of encourgement I went back to school. College is a great achievement that I owe to you and your words spoken to me on that day two years ago. You left a beautiful mark upon my heart. Thank you for being you!
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September 4, 2023
September 4, 2023
Dear Stella,
You left this physical dimension 11 years ago and your presence is felt to this day. I miss talking to you and visiting you and James down in California. 
Lots of ❤️ from here,
Anne
September 4, 2022
September 4, 2022
Dear Stella,
Today Sunday September 4 marks the 10th anniversary of your passing. It's a gorgeous day here in Oregon. You aren't forgotten. On the contrary, your spiritual presence is often felt and remains. 
Continue your celestial journey Stella.
Lots of ❤️,
Anne
Recent stories

Thinking of You Stella!

November 4, 2012

To live in the hearts of those we love is never to die. (Thomas Campbell) 

This evening, I am simply passing through to tell you I am thinking of you. My hope is that you are protecting your family from wherever you are dear Stella. You would be proud of Marty because he is being as strong as he can be under such difficult and sad circumstances. Your abrupt departure left all of us flabbergasted, but it also encouraged James to communicate with his siblings more regularly than in the past. Enclosed is a modest picture of the Eiffel Tower to bring France to you because you had expressed the desire to visit my beautiful country one day. Have a good night Stella. 
Very lovingly,
Anne    

 

Making Sense of it all... somehow

September 30, 2012

I can not make any sense of your passing. Mom, I have noticed that you have been making your presence known to me alot. You were such a good person. You were loving and generous. You never asked any questions when it came to helping someone or helping me. I cannot accept any of this.  I just want to scream!! I am a shattered glass. I will be destroyed by your passing for the rest of my pathetic life. You were my mama.  We meant everyting to eachother.

One moment we are talking on the phone and the next moment you are dead. I cant accept it!  Nothing means anything to me anymore. Life has lost all meaning to me. When you died everyone was united and promisess were made to be a family and become close to each other, but it seems that everyone has gone back into their own corners again. I hate living in this life. My beautiful sweet mama is now gone and I cannot see being happy ever again. I hate god. I hate my life.

I should never have moved from living with you in Brea and moving to Portland. I have been in Portland for 5 years.  Those 5 years could have been spent together. TIme lost. I am grateful for all the train trips you provided for me to come down and see you.  I treasure those moments. I am 47 you were only 72. We could have spent many more years together. It is maddening and sickening to me that this has happened. Thank you for making direct contact with me this last week. I know it was you. We did so many things together over the last 16 years and spent so much time together that we became a part of eachother. You were my blood, my real mother who I had not known up until you found Jon and I in 1995.  From that moment when you and Jon met me at the airport we connected right off the bat.  I will remember all the cooking we did together. We loved making lamb and potatoes. You made such good lamb. I have never been this angry in my whole life.  I am crying right now. You were such a sweet heart.

I dont look forward to life anymore. Life without you is going to be hell. I am gonig to have to make it on my own I have a feeling, without you. You are a huge part of my my mind body and soul.  All that you taught me about life I can reach within myself and hear your advice for different situations that I will find myself in.  You will be my Spirit Guide.

The picture of you that I have placed with my words is the very last picture I ever took of you (I believe it is the very last picture taken of you by anyone). This picture was 9 weeks ago.  You were waiting for the train to pick me up.  I need some serious help. I am in very bad shape right now. This is having a tremendous impact upon me.  You were always so supportive of me.   You are a dear dear person. I will decide in the next few weeks what I am going to do with my life. With you gone there is no meaning to life now. Nothing matters.  I am gonig to make some drastic changes. I love you sweet heart.

I can not go on without you..your son Marty

September 28, 2012

I am so distraught tonight that you are gone.  I cant pick up the phone and hear you fixing your hair for work the next day. Your loss is profound for me. You and I were very close. I am thinking of you alot tonight.  You taught me that it is not material things that matter in this world but it is family and love for each other that truly was significant.  You used to say that you and I were our own little family.

It is my prediction that I will never be the same and never recover from this.  A huge piece of me has been cut out of me.  I try to lay down on my bed and go to sleep in order to not cry when I think of you. Your spirit is too strong. People tell me that it gets better or that this too shall pass but i dont believe that you were too special and different. I have almost 3 years of sobriety from AA and you were so proud of that. The desire to drink does not even raise its ugly head now.  I have no desire to do anything like that.  But what I do know, is I am going to need to reshape my perceptions with life without you or I will not make it. In a way I dont feel like living in the cruel, terrible world.

When I heard that you had died life for me was over. It will continue to be over.  Yes, I may be able to be in survival mode but I cant go on without you. You were a huge percentage of my life.  We were best friends. I dont expect to live all that long anyway because of my heart problems so then we can be together again.

I love you my precious dear mother. Ill talk with you soon.

Marty

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