Odette Habib El Kateb

Odette was the daughter of the late Jeanne Chalhoub and Habib El Kateb and beloved wife of the late Tewfick Bittar. Much loved mother of Soraya Bittar (Bahaa Ragheb) in Canada, Salwa Saheb in California, and Ghada Bittar (Fritz Sacher) in Austria. Cherished grandmother of Carole Ragheb (Shawn), Gracy Ragheb, Thomas Saheb (Lisa), Christina-Lynn Saheb, Brian Saheb, and Marie-Christine Sacher. Great grandmother of Nicole, Lucas and Céleste Woods in Canada and Tyler and Jordan Saheb in Texas. Dear sister of Josephine Codsi in Syria and the late Olga, Elie, Antoine, Joseph, and Habib El Kateb. She was the beloved aunt of Alexandre, Samir, Maye, Lina, Fadia, Naila, Elena, Amine, Antoine, André, Charles, Carla, Pascal, Philippe, and the late Elias and Dominique.

Odette was born and raised in Damascus, Syria and completed her education at “Les soeurs de Besançon”. She married her beloved husband Tewfick in Damascus, then they started their life happily together in Cairo, Egypt, where they raised their 3 daughters. They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary on December 20, 1978. Tewfick passed on January 17, 1979. Odette moved to California in 1995.

Odette was an angel who was always praying the Rosary for everyone, her family, her friends, her neighbors, anyone who asked her to pray for them and for those in need of prayers and had no one to pray for them. She lived beside the church so she could walk and attend the mass everyday. She used to enjoy singing the church choir hymns in many languages as she had a beautiful voice. Odette used to belong to the French Club and the Senior Knitting and Crochet Club where she made many beautiful crochet items for the Church Bazaar. She also enjoyed spending time in the garden and playing several games especially the Scrabble. She was a role model to her family in her unconditional love and attention. She always had the right words to say to strengthen their faith and trust in God during difficult times. She was wise and always thankful to God for any condition and in any situation. Her faithful heart was always reflected in her permanent attractive smile and positive attitude in life. She was strong through God working in her life and communicated her strength to her family. She enjoyed many pilgrimages to France, Croatia, Canada and Egypt. She always glorified God for the beauty of all His creation and was always thankful for everything.

A Memorial Mass for Odette will be Celebrated Monday, March 15, 2021 from 12:00 PM to 1:00 PM at St. Kilian Catholic Church, 26872 Estanciero Dr, Mission Viejo. CA 92691. Following the Memorial Mass will be an interment from 1:30 PM to 2:00 PM at Ascension Cemetery, 24754 Trabuco Rd. Lake Forest, CA 92630.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at

www.fairhavenmemorialservices.com for the El Kateb family.