Odile Robinson Huddleston

We grieve Odile's passing. She was a beloved friend, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, aunt, and teacher. We miss her. Odile was a woman of uncommon independence and drive. Being an army brat herself and then marrying a career army officer required such strength of character. To this she added love and devotion to her family and friends.

Odile was born in 1926 to Joseph and Simone Robinson. Her father was a Cape Codder who rose to the rank of general in the US Army. He met her Parisian mother after World War I. Joseph maintained his family's connection to Massachusetts and Odile spent many happy summers on the Cape. She was an energetic tomboy who broke many bones. She also became a classical pianist through untold hours of practice. Odile's mother died in her girlhood and her father was away for most of World War II. Growing up in a military family she never lived anywhere longer than one to three years. She attended ten different schools including six high schools. She graduated from Bourne High School in 1943 and attended Regis College in Weston, Massachusetts. From 1944 to 1946 she worked in Richmond, Virginia and at the Pentagon. Despite adversity and the many restrictions placed upon that generation of women, she believed she could do whatever she put her mind and energy towards.

Odile married Tom Huddleston in June 1946 after he graduated from the United States Military Academy. With the career demands of the army, they lived in many places in the United States as well as Japan and Germany. Odile loved to travel and developed a deep appreciation for foreign cultures. She rose to the difficulties of single parenthood during Tom's extended tour in Vietnam. With three boys this was not easy! In 1967 the family moved to the Washington, D.C. area where she and Tom stayed for the next thirty years.

While in Virginia, Odile decided to return to college and completed her BA in English and her Masters in Education at the University of Virginia. She taught in various schools beginning with elementary and moving on to middle and high school. After fifteen years Odile retired from fulltime teaching but for the next eleven years she substituted at Paul VI High School in Fairfax County. Being a teacher enabled her to connect with many children and gave her great pleasure. She felt particularly good when she was able to encourage learning and discipline in her more challenging students. During this time, Odile and Tom also volunteered as tour guides at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Odile was also a loving and supportive grandmother, always offering an affirmative perspective. She and Tom moved to Walpole in 1999 to help with the triplet grandchildren born to son Tom and wife Maureen. While living in Walpole, Odile became an active member of Blessed Sacrament Church, and a volunteer at Norwood Hospital. She also enjoyed being a part of the Royal Crest community where she played bridge, participated in the book club and learned to play golf. She and Tom pursued their love of music by attending the Friday preview sessions of the BSO.

Odile was predeceased by her husband Tom (in 2008) and siblings Mike, Tutta, and Gil. She is survived by her three sons - John and wife Suzanne of Weybridge, Vermont, Jarrett, and wife Persia of New York City and Tom and wife Maureen of Wellesley, Massachusetts, as well as six grandchildren - SaraBlaise, Maura, Grace, Jarrett, Matthew and Nora. She is also survived by two siblings, Hugh Robinson and Betty Purple.

We grieve Odile's passing but we realize that death is a release from her suffering. Odile's recent years were very difficult as dementia took her away from the family, friends and activities she loved. But despite her difficulties Odile maintained a courage and gentleness that enabled her positive spirit to emerge.

The family would like to thank the staff at The Falls at Cordingly Dam for their loving and attentive care of Odile and the staff of Brookhaven Hospice for ensuring her comfort and dignity.

Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend Odile's Memorial Mass in Blessed Sacrament Church, 10 Diamond Street, Walpole on Monday, October 5, 2015 at 10:00 AM. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted at the request of the family. Interment will take place privately. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Alzheimer's Association, 480 Pleasant Street, Watertown, MA 02472. Arrangements by James H. Delaney & Son Funeral Home, Walpole.