Odette Halloran

Shared at Odette's memorial service.....

I write this today with a heavy heart and tear filled eyes. Fifteen hundred miles away from where I want to be.....where I should be ...... sitting with you ...... holding my husband's hand, comforting my father in law and hugging my sisters in law. I'd like to share how I met Odette and became a member of the Halloran family.

Eighteen years ago I was lucky enough to meet a wonderful man named Thomas Halloran. On our first date he politely said good night. No attempt for a kiss or hug. This was surprising to me...... My first thought was his mother raised him right.

On our second date he was opening doors and our third date he brought me home for dinner to meet his parents. That dinner was probably one of the most nervous times in my life. I don't remember eating anything. I just remember thinking........ I hope his Mom likes me.

Tom or Tommy as Mom calls him is her only son. They were obviously very close and I was the new woman in his life. As any mother would do.... she asked me questions and yes .....Put me on the spot too... For those of you who knew her you know that she didn't hold back with her feelings. When it came to her son I don't think any woman was ever going to be good enough. Understandably so...

That dinner felt like an eternity but I overcame my nerves ......and am happy to say had many...... many more dinners after that and twelve years later Tom and I were married.

Mom and Dad retired and moved to Florida where Dad never has to shovel snow again. Tom and I bought their home in Massachusetts and started a family of our own.

I'll never forget when I had our son William and mom and dad drove up from Florida to meet him. Tom was at work when they arrived and Will was fast asleep in his crib. I brought them into his nursery and mom wanted to hold him but she didn't because he was asleep. I looked at her and said please pick up your grandson.

She began to cry and lifted him up and didn't put him back down for the entire month they visited. I was a new mom and wanted to hold him as well but realized that I have his entire life to hold him and she only had that brief moment in time. I watched her feed him, change him, bathe him and rock him. It was one of the most precious memories I have of her and I will always cherish it.

It was at that moment that I began a friendship with mom. She wasn't just my mother in law with the negative stereo type that accompanies it. She was the woman who gave birth to my husband, who raised him to be the gentleman I met on our first date and fell in love with, she taught him manners and how to cook. She instilled morals and respect in him that are being passed on to my children today. Not to mention she taught him to clean and do laundry...Thaaaaaaannnnnnk You Mom!!!

When we welcomed our daughter Brooke who looks exactly like her daddy who coincidentally looks exactly like his mother....Mom and dad came to meet her. Again Mom scooped her up and loved her for as long as she was here. Every time Mom and dad visited I saw a woman who thrived on being a mom. Someone who takes pride in caring for others and truly enjoyed the self less acts she did daily.

I find myself watching Will and Brooke's mannerisms and seeing you in them. I must be honest the Halloran humor as I call it I never understood. For those of you who are wondering what this is....... It's when you see someone fall down or bump their head and instead of asking if they're alright you just burst out laughing uncontrollably. I never understood it but Mom, Brenda, Tommy and Michelle all do it. It's just a quirky thing they all share and it bonds them together.

Well, Will and Brooke do it too. I couldn't believe it when I saw them doing it and it actually brought a huge smile to my face because I knew it was from there Meme. They eat bread and cheese like they live in France and Brooke piles on the bracelets.

I just smile and say you are just like your Meme. I'm proud to say that and will continue to point out their similarities to you.

Mom you are a tough act to follow....you bought Will his first car at age 11 months! A mustang to boot....He took his first steps to you..... You always sent care packages to the kids full of little surprises that they loved opening and proudly saying "this is from my meme". You never forgot a holiday or birthday and sent

Just because ice cream man money for them. Special memories I will never let them forget about you.

Mom, we have so much in common....we both love the same man, your son, my husband, we both share the same name Mrs. Thomas Halloran. We both are mothers who would do anything for their children and we both call the same address home. I can only hope to become the wife, mother, friend and woman that you were and always will be to me.

So.....I cry today for my husband who lost his mother, I cry out of fear that William and Brooke won't remember their Meme and how much you loved them and I cry for the loss of the friendship that we had established.

Thank you mom for leaving with me the memories that I will share of you with my children. Thank you for the example you leave for my family to be and thank you for welcoming me into your family and passing your name onto me. Mrs. Thomas Halloran.....Moments Embraced Memories Everlasting. I love you.