Babette Odessky Lustig

Babette Odessky Lustig, beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025, at the age of 98, surrounded by her family in Virginia Beach.

She was born on December 9, 1926, in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Alice and Bernard Lustig. Independent and resourceful from a young age, she began her career as a stenographer with the United States Office of Price Administration. After World War II, she moved to Miami Beach to live with her beloved grandmother, Rose Sutker. It was there she met Morris Odessky, with whom she shared a love filled 25-year marriage. Together they raised three children. Soon after the birth of her second child her mother and sister moved to Miami and family became the center of her world.

Babette is survived by her children, Carol Pariser (David), Jay Odessky (Eddie), and Neil Odessky (Connie); four grandchildren, Michael Pariser, Jana Maser (Gabriel), Jared Odessky, Josh Odessky (Brennan), brother-in-law Charles Brown and two great-grandchildren, Ayla and Sophie. She was predeceased by her husband, Morris, and her sister, Linda Brown.

Widowed at 48, Babette showed remarkable courage and resilience. She built a meaningful career as registrar for the University of Miami's Nassau program, while also creating a life full of joy, friendships, and adventure.

Babette's openness to love brought her two cherished later-life relationships. With Harvey Goodman, she traveled the world, embracing new experiences. Later, with Richard Fast, she discovered a renewed sense of joy - as if she were a schoolgirl in love once again.

Creative, energetic, and generous, Babette infused her days with art and connection. She painted, danced, bowled, and filled her home with beauty through countless creative projects. She valued laughter over ceremony, connection over convention, and relationships over possessions - a philosophy that shaped every part of her life.

When she could no longer live alone, Babette moved to Virginia Beach, where she spent six years lovingly cared for by Carol and David. The family is deeply grateful to her devoted aide, Carolyn Crowe, whose kindness, compassion, and friendship brought great comfort to Babette.

Babette's resilience and compassion touched everyone she met. She will be remembered for her devotion to family and friends, her zest for life, and her gift for finding joy in both the everyday and the extraordinary.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in Babette's memory to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) or Primeplus Adult Daycare (primeplus.org).