Obituary for Cynthia O'Dell
Cynthia J. O’Dell
Beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and loyal friend to many
Cynthia J. O’Dell, 60, of Bantam and Morris, CT passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Thursday, February 24, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Cindy had many strengths that defined her, but what stood out over the past few years was her fierce determination to fight. Time and again, when cancer seemed to have the upper hand, Cindy beat back the demon, rallied and fought and inspired all of us with her courage and spirited attitude. For this and for many other reasons, we will always love and remember her.
Cindy was born on October 2, 1961 in Torrington, CT. She was the 6th of 8 children of the late Allen W. O’Dell and Aveline Q. (Luzi) O’Dell. She grew up in Bantam and attended the Litchfield Public Schools graduating in 1979 from Litchfield High School. Growing up in a large family taught her how to be strong, resilient and to put her family above all. She always considered herself a “Bantam girl”- tough, independent, outspoken and unapologetically herself, never afraid to speak up and defend what she believed was right.
Two characteristics defined Cindy’s life- her never ending love of family and her selfless devotion to helping others. She was so proud of the many senior citizens she cared for over the years, the veterans she cooked for and served at the Litchfield American Legion, the customers she waited on at Patty’s Restaurant who insisted on Cindy being their server, the countless house sitting and dog sitting jobs, and the young children she cared for and who loved her like family.
The simple pleasures in life brought great joy to Cindy. Sitting on the porch of her mom’s house on the Bantam River watching the wildlife and eating, talking (sometimes arguing!!) and laughing with her family was perhaps her favorite thing in this world. She filled her life with a variety of additional passions and interests: Cindy loved to cook, donate her money to casinos, watch old movies, spend quiet time with her cat Smokey, listen to southern rock music, and enjoy an “occasional” cocktail with her many friends. Time spent at the beach on Hutchingson Island in Florida was especially dear to her where she loved to sit in the sun and read, walk on the beach and collect seashells.
Cindy is survived by her mother and best friend, Aveline (Babe) O’Dell Burpee, her sister Joyce Stiles (Fred), her brother Richard O’Dell (Susan), her brother Thomas O’Dell (Robin), her brother Raymond O’Dell (Susan), her brothers William O’Dell and James O’Dell, and her youngest brother Christopher O’Dell (Mary). She also leaves behind 10 nieces and nephews, all of whom loved her dearly and she loved each of them just as if they were her own children; Danielle O’Dell (Michael Toole), Adam Stiles (Allison), Andrew O’Dell (Adriana), Dylan Stiles (Amy), Matthew O’Dell (Danielle), Nicholas Ball (Erin), Jessica O’Dell (Adam), Richard Alex O’Dell, Brady O’Dell (Alyssa), Jenna O’Dell. Since Cindy loved family, she also kept informed and stayed in touch with her many great nieces and nephews, some local but others scattered across the country. Two bear special mention: her two little angels- Jackson Stiles and his cousin Eli White. The joy they brought into her life, especially toward the end, meant more to her than words can express.
There will be no calling hours. A private service and burial will be held for the family. A Celebration of Cindy’s life will be held at the Bantam Firehouse, 92 Doyle Road, Bantam, CT on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 1:00pm. All friends and relatives are invited to join us and food and drinks will be served. Please bring pictures, stories, mementos, laughter, and only tears of joy. This will truly be a celebration of a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Cindy’s name to the Bantam Fire Department, 92 Doyle Road, Bantam, CT 06750 or the Litchfield American Legion, 400 Bantam Road, Litchfield, CT 06759.
Beloved daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and loyal friend to many
Cynthia J. O’Dell, 60, of Bantam and Morris, CT passed away peacefully in her sleep at home on Thursday, February 24, 2022, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Cindy had many strengths that defined her, but what stood out over the past few years was her fierce determination to fight. Time and again, when cancer seemed to have the upper hand, Cindy beat back the demon, rallied and fought and inspired all of us with her courage and spirited attitude. For this and for many other reasons, we will always love and remember her.
Cindy was born on October 2, 1961 in Torrington, CT. She was the 6th of 8 children of the late Allen W. O’Dell and Aveline Q. (Luzi) O’Dell. She grew up in Bantam and attended the Litchfield Public Schools graduating in 1979 from Litchfield High School. Growing up in a large family taught her how to be strong, resilient and to put her family above all. She always considered herself a “Bantam girl”- tough, independent, outspoken and unapologetically herself, never afraid to speak up and defend what she believed was right.
Two characteristics defined Cindy’s life- her never ending love of family and her selfless devotion to helping others. She was so proud of the many senior citizens she cared for over the years, the veterans she cooked for and served at the Litchfield American Legion, the customers she waited on at Patty’s Restaurant who insisted on Cindy being their server, the countless house sitting and dog sitting jobs, and the young children she cared for and who loved her like family.
The simple pleasures in life brought great joy to Cindy. Sitting on the porch of her mom’s house on the Bantam River watching the wildlife and eating, talking (sometimes arguing!!) and laughing with her family was perhaps her favorite thing in this world. She filled her life with a variety of additional passions and interests: Cindy loved to cook, donate her money to casinos, watch old movies, spend quiet time with her cat Smokey, listen to southern rock music, and enjoy an “occasional” cocktail with her many friends. Time spent at the beach on Hutchingson Island in Florida was especially dear to her where she loved to sit in the sun and read, walk on the beach and collect seashells.
Cindy is survived by her mother and best friend, Aveline (Babe) O’Dell Burpee, her sister Joyce Stiles (Fred), her brother Richard O’Dell (Susan), her brother Thomas O’Dell (Robin), her brother Raymond O’Dell (Susan), her brothers William O’Dell and James O’Dell, and her youngest brother Christopher O’Dell (Mary). She also leaves behind 10 nieces and nephews, all of whom loved her dearly and she loved each of them just as if they were her own children; Danielle O’Dell (Michael Toole), Adam Stiles (Allison), Andrew O’Dell (Adriana), Dylan Stiles (Amy), Matthew O’Dell (Danielle), Nicholas Ball (Erin), Jessica O’Dell (Adam), Richard Alex O’Dell, Brady O’Dell (Alyssa), Jenna O’Dell. Since Cindy loved family, she also kept informed and stayed in touch with her many great nieces and nephews, some local but others scattered across the country. Two bear special mention: her two little angels- Jackson Stiles and his cousin Eli White. The joy they brought into her life, especially toward the end, meant more to her than words can express.
There will be no calling hours. A private service and burial will be held for the family. A Celebration of Cindy’s life will be held at the Bantam Firehouse, 92 Doyle Road, Bantam, CT on Saturday, March 19, 2022 at 1:00pm. All friends and relatives are invited to join us and food and drinks will be served. Please bring pictures, stories, mementos, laughter, and only tears of joy. This will truly be a celebration of a life well lived.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made in Cindy’s name to the Bantam Fire Department, 92 Doyle Road, Bantam, CT 06750 or the Litchfield American Legion, 400 Bantam Road, Litchfield, CT 06759.