Sandra Jean Odell

Sandra Jean Odell passed peacefully in her home on July 25, 2025 just shy of her 89th birthday. Sandy was born in August 1936 to Fred and Helen Ulrich in Ann Arbor Michigan. Sandy would be described by her friends as fiercely loyal, generous, fun and adventuresome. Sandy’s hobbies included golf, antiques, bridge - but most importantly, travel. As a young lady she got her start as an airline stewardess and her adventuresome spirit carried on even after she retired to become a mother and home maker. Sandy would go on to see much of the world, from Alaska to Egypt, to Europe to Australia and her favorite place, Africa. There was something about seeing the African wildlife that was so mesmerizing she visited three times over the course of her lifetime. The last trip her family took in 2010 to Africa was to see the migration of the wildebeest, a lifelong dream. Of all the animals in Africa, monkeys were her favorite and she made sure both of her residences were adorned with these mischievous characters. Another love was antiquing in Europe. She made friends everywhere she visited and certainly had an eye for a deal. While she spent most of her life living in Connecticut it was Naples, Florida, that she loved. She moved to live exclusively in Naples in 2010 and enjoyed golfing at Quail West and watching the sunset from her place on Vanderbilt Beach. Golf was one of her favorite past times. She was known for her crazy golf swing, her “worm-burners” and a joyous love of the game. We will be forever grateful to The Turtle Club, her favorite restaurant, which was conveniently located next door. The staff always treated her like family and made sure she always got her table and glass of chardonnay no matter how busy the staff was. We were incredibly lucky to have amazing caregivers for her for the last decade. Thank you, Geri, Rosy, Lourdes and especially Paulette. We will always remember her loving care of “Miss Sandy” and particularly how she shepherded her through the tough times when we couldn’t be there. She is predeceased by her husband, Budd, parents and brother Jim. She is survived by her children, Denise, Christy [Sarah] and Jim and her two grandson’s Ryan and Max. Private services will be held in Ann Arbor Michigan where she will be laid to rest with her parents and brother.

In lieu of flowers, please honor mom’s love of the African wildlife by donating to the World Wildlife Fund.