Odette Chakhtoura Balta

Odette was born on January 27, 1946, in Achrafieh, Lebanon, to Abdo Youssef Chakhtoura and Mariam Sokhen Chakhtoura. A brilliant and curious mind from an early age, she earned her master's degree in Rome, Italy, and built an illustrious career as an archeologist at the Lebanese Museum - unearthing and preserving the history of the land she loved. That same devotion to heritage and family would define the rest of her life.

When civil war came to Lebanon, Odette demonstrated the legendary strength for which she will always be remembered. She left behind everything familiar and immigrated to the United States, where she planted new roots in Melbourne, Florida, and built a life defined by love, resilience, and family. She devoted herself fully to raising her sons and creating a home that was the heart of her family - a place always filled with warmth, laughter, and something wonderful on the stove.

Odette was a passionate and gifted cook, forever learning new recipes and gathering the people she loved around her table. Her greatest joys were simple and profound: time with her husband George, the company of her extended family, and above all, her grandchildren, whom she adored beyond measure. From the time they were babies, Teta could spend endless hours playing with them - down on the floor with their toys when they were little, and right by their side through every stage as they grew into full-blown teenagers. Time with her grandkids was never something she gave; it was something she treasured.

She is survived by her devoted husband of many years, George Balta; her son Shadi and his wife Maya, her son Andre and his wife Kirsten, and their families; her cherished grandchildren, George, Guiliana, Luca, and Declan; and her siblings Hannibal, Samia, Milad, Fadi, Raymonda, and Nahida. She was preceded in death by her parents, Abdo and Mariam.

Odette's life was a testament to courage - the courage to build, and to love without reservation. Her strength carried her family across an ocean, and her love will carry them forward for generations.