Virginia Westling Odell December 30 2024

Virginia Westling Odell (Ginny) of Santa Rosa, passed peacefully on Monday, December 30th at age 99. Ginny is survived by her four children, Vicki (Bruce), Scott (Mary), Peter (Orchid) and Deborah (Grace). She enjoyed her nine grandchildren and her ten great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by the love of her life, Bob Odell, her parents, and her two brothers.

Ginny was born in Santa Paula, California, to Victor and Belle Westling. She grew up in Santa Paula and graduated with a teaching credential from Occidental College in Eagle Rock, California. During college, she met her loving husband and soulmate Bob Odell. They were married over 68 years.

After several years of teaching elementary school in Los Angeles, Ginny and Bob moved to Lake Oswego, Oregon and built their family by adopting four children. Later, they relocated to Sunnyvale, California, where Ginny became a founder and director of the Cupertino Cooperative Nursery School where her passion for children and education touched many families. They later moved to El Cerrito, California, where Ginny explored her creativity through sculpture and painting, while providing her organizational expertise as a board member of the Richmond Art Center.

During her retirement, Ginny and Bob hit the open road traveling the US, Canada and Mexico in a 26' RV. Ginny's love of people translated into creating and growing a network of friends wherever their RV pulled in.

Settling in Coarsegold, CA, Ginny and Bob, were some of the original Pioneers who created SKP Park of the Sierras, an RV community. After years of RV living, they finally settled in Windsor, CA where Ginny enjoyed socializing and hosting unusual-and perhaps wonderfully kooky-parties (she was known on occasion to don a clown suit and blow bubbles). She had a steady stream of imaginative, crafty projects. She spent her final years in a Santa Rosa senior community where she continued developing and enjoying her circle of friends.

Ginny was a dedicated and loving mother and grandmother, always enjoying activities with Bob, family and friends. She approached life with a positive outlook and delighted in having a positive impact on the people around her. She loved people and formed a community of friends everywhere she lived, and she enjoyed those friendships immensely.

The family wishes to thank Maraia Moala, for her friendship and devoted care.

April 26th, 2025 would have been Ginny's 100th birthday and that is the planned date for her Celebration of Life. To share a memory and for information about the celebration please visit www.legacy.com.

In lieu of flowers please send contributions in Ginny's memory to Boys & Girls Aid, 9320 SW Barbur Blvd. #200, Portland OR 97219, http://boysandgirlsaid.org To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store. 

Ginny became a member of our Center in 2009 and we remember Ginny for her vibrant energy, warm friendliness and wonderful sense of humor.