Kay Frances Oddie

Groton - Kay Frances Oddie, 73 of Branford, formerly of Groton, Connecticut and of Mililani, Hawaii, died October 9, 2024, at Harbor Chase of Branford. Kay was born December 11, 1950, in North Kingstown, Rhode Island at the United States Naval Air Station, Quonset Point.  

She is survived by her loving husband of 35 years, Edward C. Oddie, his daughter Bethany Buckridge and her husband Christopher of Bozrah and their two daughters Emma and Eve; her children Chad Wright and his wife Louanne and Elizabeth Wright both of Branford; and her grandchildren, Hayley Behan and her husband Robert, Michael Orifice, Louis Orifice, Colby Wright, Isabelle Wright, Madison Meehan, Lucas Blasiak, and Jacob Blasiak; her brothers Thomas Walsh and his wife Corliss of Hebron and Donald Walsh and his wife Judy of Groton.  She is preceded in death by her parents Robert Spicer Walsh and Catherine Lusk Walsh, and her brother, Robert “Bobby” Walsh.  

Kay’s interest in nursing began when she joined the “Future Nurses Club” at Robert E. Fitch Senior High School, the class of 1969.  Following high school, Kay’s focus turned to raising her children Chad and Liz with their father, Charles F. Wright.  As a working mother and student, Kay graduated from Mohegan Community College with an associate’s degree in nursing.  She began her career at Lawrence & Memorial Hospital as an inpatient nurse.  She also worked at Hospice of Southeastern Connecticut as a home hospice nurse.  The majority of Kay’s career was dedicated to the care of patients with cancer at both the L&M Cancer Center as an infusion nurse and Yale New Haven Hospital as a radiation oncology nurse.  She was a certified oncology nurse (OCN) and was the recipient of the esteemed Nightingale Award for Excellence in Nursing.  Kay also lovingly cared for both her parents toward the end of their lives. Following her retirement from Smilow Cancer Hospital, she moved to Mililani, Hawaii until her return to Connecticut in 2022.  

Beyond being a dedicated oncology nurse, Kay loved all forms of art.  She was skilled at painting, quilting, ceramics, card making, and needlepointing.  It was not uncommon for those who Kay cared about to receive a homemade gift from her at holidays, milestones, or other celebrations.  Kay was also a fierce reader.  Often you would find her sitting quietly reading a book.  But what Kay loved most was spending time with her grandchildren, family, and friends.  Cooking a meal, hosting a holiday, or planning a party were her favorite things to do as she simply loved bringing people together.  

A Visitation will be held from 9:30am to 11:00am Saturday, October 19, 2024, with a Funeral Service commencing at 11:00am at the Byles Groton Memorial Home, 310 Thames Street in Groton. Interment will follow at Colonel Ledyard Cemetery in Groton.  

In remembrance of Kay’s life, the family asks that any charitable donations be made to the Flynn Foundation, answering the need for compassionate and skilled oncology nurses, at 8 Harbor Drive, Westerly, RI 02891 or https://theflynnfoundation.org/get-involved/donate/