Odessa N. "Odessa" Samuelson

Odessa Powell Samuelson, 74, of Deer Park, died peacefully on Sunday, February 17.

She was born in Galveston, Texas. Odessa graduated from Ball High School and attended TCU in Ft. Worth before meeting Donald Samuelson, who she married in 1957. Donald and Odessa celebrated 55 years of marriage in September.

Odessa is pre-deceased by her beloved daughter Rebecca. She is survived by daughter Susan Briddon and her husband John, and granddaughter Sommer Briddon. She is also survived by her daughter Julie Roven.

Odessa was an organist for First Christian Church of Pasadena for many years. Later she attended Unity Church of Christianity in Houston and Pasadena. She was an administrative assistant after her children left home. She loved playing the piano and her house was often filled with classical music or jazz. She was an avid reader of books of all kinds. She loved the arts as well, and dabbled in oils, pastels and watercolor. She loved television and enjoyed everything from Big Rich Texas to Downton Abbey! She had an infectious laugh that could shake anyone out of a bad mood.

Special thanks are given to the physicians and nurses at the Texas Heart Institute, the caring team at Houston Hospice, and to Monica Rodrigues, the Samuelsons' caretaker and friend of almost 8 years.

A private family memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to the Deer Park Art League (PO Box 1115, Deer Park TX 77536) or to Houston Hospice (1905 Holcombe Blvd., Houston TX 77030).