Odile Marie Cortina

Odile Marie Cortina, age 98, of Orlando, Florida passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2022. Odile was born in France November 9, 1923. She is survived by her son Francois and his wife Diana, also her son Didier. She is predeceased by her grandson Matthew.

Odile is also survived by a brother: Dr. Claude Marchand, his wife Christine and children Jerome, Vickey and Sandrine. She is proceeded in death by her sisters Arlette and Denise. Surviving Arlette is her son Philippe.

Denise is survived by her children Nicolas and Catherine.

Odile was raised in France and lived through the WWII Nazi invasion, having been present for the Allied landings of D-Day in Normandy 1944. She met her future husband Bruno, an American soldier at that time and moved to the United States to be married in 1947. Together they raised their two sons in Northern Indiana. Odile worked as a French teacher at the Catholic grade school attended by her children, and also gave private lessons at their home in the evenings for close to 25 years. Her students adored her.

Odile and Bruno never failed to take a 2 week summer vacation by car, visiting close to every state in the US, Mexico and Canada. Not to mention every Holiday Inn along the way. She was a fantastic mother who sacrificed whatever she needed to, so "her boys" had the latest fashions or toys. This was a trait that followed her throughout her life. She was a giver, often helping others she barely knew, or sending donations to numerous Catholic sponsored charities.

Upon Brunos' retirement, the couple moved to Fort Myers Florida where they lived until his death in 2008. In order to be closer to her children, Odile relocated to Orlando where she lived quite an independent life on her own, even driving until the age of 96. She was a devout member of the Basilica Mary Queen Of The Universe and volunteered as a "Greeter" for Sunday Mass. She loved meeting people of diverse backgrounds and recounting stories of her days in France and tales of the war. She never left home without being dressed properly, "just in case, you never know" she would say. Some of her last words in fact were "how's my hair"? So typical.

She will be truly missed, however knowing that The Lord has finally reunited Bruno with his "Pucette" is a comfort to her family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.dignitymemorial.com for the Cortina family.