Obituary of Mollie O'Dell

O'DELL, Mollie (Formerly Stewart) 1930 - 2014 It is with a heavy heart the family of Mollie O'Dell announces her passing on March 18, 2014, at the age of 83. Mollie was born on April 11, 1930 in Bangalore, India. She lived in southern England during World War II where she met and married Canadian soldier, George Stewart. Following the war she immigrated to Canada where she worked as a freelance journalist for the Markham Economist & Sun interviewing among others, Pierre Trudeau and former Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri, plus joined other reporters when The Beatles played for the first time at Maple Leaf Gardens. She worked for the Scarborough Public Library for 30 years as a Children's Librarian. After retiring from the library she dedicated herself to helping others. Playing the piano and putting on skits for the veterans at Sunnybrook Hospital volunteering at the Seamans' Mission where she would greet the boats from Egypt, Ukraine, Poland and China. Her love of writing was proven when she wrote and published her book "Noah's Land" based on two children living in India. Always an active and determined woman she received her degree in English Literature in 1998. She welcomed numerous exchange students into her home and she herself traveled to China for six months to teach English. Her teaching continued in her later years when she taught children at Sylvan Learning Centre. She enjoyed zipping around in her car and would organize road trips with her friends, although they had to endure her driving which, to say the least, was scary at times, it was always an adventure and joy to be with her. After spending her life in selfless service to others at the age of 77 she suffered several strokes and was diagnosed with dementia and kidney disease. Soon thereafter she was given a prognosis of three months to a year to live and she was advised to stop her kidney dialysis treatments. Well, they certainly didn't know Mollie, a brave, strong, stubborn woman, she continued her dialysis. That was almost seven years ago. Her final lesson taught was never give up no matter how hopeless everything seems and what others say. Predeceased by daughter Valerie, she will be sadly missed but never forgotten by daughter Ginny Stewart, (Jon Kroll), son Walter Stewart (Barb Sharpe), her brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews in England and her many friends around the world. If so desired memorial donations may be made to the Kidney Foundation of Canada or to the Heart & Stroke Foundation of Canada. Cremation has taken place and her ashes will be interred at Grace Anglican Cemetery, Markham following a private family service. Please visit our Book of Memories at www.dixongarland.com