Odette Leon

June 12, 1931 - January 29, 2022

Claire Antonine Odette Leon was born June 12, 1931, in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. During her years in Haiti, Odette worked as a stenographer doing shorthand for schools. She raised three children: MacNeal (Michael), Marie (Josette), and Albert. Odette worked hard to instill the Catholic faith in all her children and made it a point to bring the family to church every Sunday, rain, or shine. In 1972, Odette and the family relocated to New York where Odette continued to practice her Catholic faith. As the family grew, Odette became the babysitter extraordinaire and would watch any and all of the grandchildren to ensure the success of her children. She encouraged the family to pray through the difficult times and thank God in the times of joy and success. She was the matriarch and “prayer warrior” of the family. Odette had a way of making each person feel special. She never missed a birthday, or special celebration and always made it a point to call you just to say hi. Odette just enjoyed being with her family – at birthdays, holidays, celebrations, and mass. She was a woman loved by many who would always follow through on prayer requests and remember to “light the candle” whenever we needed it. Odette is survived by her 3 children, 35 grandchildren, and 27 great-grandchildren. Words cannot describe how immensely she will be missed. “My mother, Odette Leon, is and always will be the Queen of my heart! God bless her beautiful soul. Mama Odette, a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother full of love, was always there for anyone - especially family - who needed help or encouragement. She was the Mother Teresa of the underdog and her light will always shine through those she had gathered under her wings” “My beautiful mother, Odette, was one of a kind! She was the matriarch of our family, who tried to hold the family together with her love and her kind words! Although I can say so many beautiful things about her, I will keep it simple and short and say what meant the most to me about her. Growing up as a small child in a poor country like Haiti, my mother made sure love came first. She loved her children and she made sure to show us. When I was 5 years old in Haiti and I had to get a vaccine at school, I was so scared. I remember she waited until it was my turn, she was there to comfort me. She surprised me with an orange after I received my vaccine to help distract me from thinking about the pain. Whenever I felt sick, young and old, she had a remedy that would help me to feel better. She always gave me wise words when we would talk with one another. And still today, those wise words have stayed with me. She would say to me, "society always ask the most of you, but society never have anything to give back to you." She made sure she checked up on me and those I love. She would ask if I needed anything or if I have gas for my car or food out of concern. The last time I spoke to my mother was the day before she went into the hospital. Our conversation was about her being okay and I asked her if she wanted me to come see her and she said no. She reassured me she was fine, so I would not worry about her. And in the end, my mother still showed love, concern, and kindness toward me. My mother was a genuine and loving mother! She was everything to me and I am really going to miss her!” “My mom Odette was born an only child on 6/12/31 in Port-au-Prince Haiti. She worked doing shorthand (what we now call stenography) for schools. She loved music, food, shopping, and travelling by car. My mom was like a butterfly, always on the go with her family. She was a prayer warrior - my prayer warrior. I could call her anytime, day and night, to ask her to pray for me, the kids and grandkids, and even my friends. She would find the appropriate prayer for whatever the prayer request was and then light a candle as she prayed. She was an amazing listener. She would always tell me to “give it to the Lord,” and would encourage family, friends, and others to pray. Mom did everything in her power to care for her children. We grew up poor in Haiti and did not have access to medical care, so she used natural remedies for almost every ailment and medical issue that we might have. She had many friends who she would keep in touch with on a weekly basis, some even daily. She loved her kids, grandkids, and great grandkids. One of my sissies refers to my mom as a very colorful person, she loved all different colors and wore bows in her hair that always had to match her outfits. She was loved by everyone who had the pleasure of meeting my mother Odette.”