Odette Simona Klein Herman, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on June 25 in Washington, D.C., at the age of 85. Daughter of the late Gigy and Felix Klein, Odette was born in Bucharest, Romania, on Nov. 11, 1938. After surviving the Holocaust, Odette and her parents continued living in Bucharest until they were able to escape Communist Romania in 1950, immigrating first to Israel and then to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they enjoyed many happy years and the embrace of a loving community.
Odette attended Lycee Francais de Rio de Janeiro followed by finishing school at The Club of the Three Wise Monkeys in London, England, and at Le Mesnil in Montreux, Switzerland. She also studied interpreting in Geneva, Switzerland, and then served as the interpreter for the then-Indonesian Ambassador to Brazil.
Odette married Harry Herman, Jr., and they made their home and raised their three children in Washington, D.C. and Chevy Chase, Maryland. Odette’s greatest happiness was spending time with her three children, 10 grandchildren, and many friends in the DC-area and across the globe. She will be remembered for her exceptional warmth, her beautiful smile, her devotion to family and friends, and the joy she brought to all those who knew her.
She is survived by her children Miriam (Sanford), Jacques (Tracy) and Henry (Candace), and grandchildren Gigi, Ella, Josephine, Gabriel, Sophie, Nicholas, Samantha, Elijah, Emily and Hannah. There could not have been a more loving or engaged mother and grandmother (Omi). She treasured every moment and celebrated every milestone. Her unconditional love was the greatest blessing. She will live in our hearts forever. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Washington Hebrew Congregation Worship & Music Fund. Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg Funeral Care.
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