Odette Martineau Rey, 91, died Thursday, December 4, 2008, at her home. She was preceded in death by her husband Paul, in 1988.
A native of Paris, France, Odette moved to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where she was active in numerous organizations helping children. An accomplished pianist and singer, she was quite fond of poetry and the arts.
Odette relocated to the United States in 1965 and had been a resident of Reno for 38 years before moving to Minden where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law.
In Reno, Odette, or "Madame Rey" as she was known by her many students, enjoyed bringing the French language and culture to her pupils of all ages. She was a member of the Alliance Francaise, a volunteer with the Veterans Hospital and the community.
Surviving are her daughters Nadege Maletz of Aviano, Italy; Nancy Rey Jackson (Greg) and Djenane Rey of Minden, Monique Rey of New York, N.Y.; her son Henri-Robert Rey of New York, N.Y.; five grandchildren, two great-grandchildren and her beloved, adopted sister Marie Machetta of Gardnerville.
A funeral mass shall take place 11 a.m. today at the St. Gall Catholic Church in Gardnerville. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. Gall Memorial Garden.