In memoriam
Billie Oddonetto
Billie Ruth (Nunn) Oddonetto, 90, died at home in the early morning hours of Sunday, March 8, 2015. She had a full life and was ready to release her spirit to the universe.
Born December 16, 1924, in Sweetwater, Texas, she lived in Arizona for most of her life. She graduated from Flagstaff High School and later attended the newly established campus of St. Joseph’s Hospital School of Nursing in Phoenix from which she proudly graduated as a registered nurse. She worked as a surgical nurse, in private practice settings, and retired at age 66 as the head nurse in charge of the medical clinic at the Maricopa County Juvenile Detention Center.
Billie was a dedicated nurse, a voracious reader, an adventurous traveler, an avid follower of many sports and a loyal Phoenix Suns fan. She was devoted to her family, her friends and her pets. She was warm and intelligent with an engaging sense of humor and she was admired and loved deeply by her family. Billie was fiercely independent and raised two children as a single mother in the 50s and 60s. She was always grateful for her RN education and training at St. Joseph’s which enabled her to provide for her family.
Survivors include her daughter, Dianne Mensch (husband, Bill) of Superstition Mountain, Ariz.; son, Bill Oddonetto (wife Karen) of West Bloomfield, Mich.; brother Jimmie Nunn of Flagstaff, Ariz.; three granddaughters Heather Copp (husband David) of Santa Barbara, Calif.; Erica Tucker of Tempe, Ariz.; Summer Morgan (husband, Joe) of Lubbock, Texas; six great grandchildren – Brianna, Allys, Taylor, Camryn, Charlotte and Oliver. Additionally, nephews Stephen Nunn of Mesa, Ariz.; Mike Nunn (wife Kathie) of Phoenix, Ariz.; and niece Elayne Hollabaugh of Irvine, Calif.; and their children. They all morn her passing. Billie was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Irma Dee and Cleo Bill Nunn of Flagstaff, Ariz.
A Celebration of Life will be held at the home she dearly loved. Billie wanted to be cremated and she will be rejoined with the earth and sky as her remains continue to travel with family members to the places she loved, and even places she would have loved but never had the chance to see.
An endowed scholarship in her honor has been established at St. Joseph’s Foundation to be used for continuing medical education for nurses. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are welcome by donating below or by mailing contributions to St. Joseph’s Foundation (in memory of Billie Nunn Oddonetto), 350 W. Thomas Rd., Phoenix, AZ 85013.
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