Ilona G. O’Dell, 97, of Valparaiso, Indiana, formerly of South Carolina passed away Sunday, March 2, 2025 at Avalon Springs. She was born January 3, 1928, in Nagymaros, Hungary. She spent her youth swimming in the Danube River and picking cherries and grapes in the family vineyard. She emigrated to West Germany in the 1940’s near the end of World War II, where she met and married a U.S. serviceman which ultimately brought her to the United States. She worked as a photography assistant in Tacoma Washington before moving to Columbia, South Carolina, where she was employed at the Fort Jackson photography studio, and excelled at photo colorization. This may have been due to her artistic talents, which included oil painting and needlework of all varieties. Her sewing skills were legendary, and she always seemed to gravitate to the color blue for her clothing.
She was a traveler aficionado and visited many places including Africa, Thailand, China, Russia, Dubai, Hawaii, England, and France. She loved classical music and was always looking for a dance partner to waltz to the Blue Danube. She was an excellent cook, and her Christmas cookies were highly sought after. An avid gardener, her sunroom was filled with orchids and Christmas cacti. To say that she was independent and self-sufficient would be an understatement. Becoming a young widow in 1981 when her husband, Ralph H. O’Dell, passed away, she remained on her own in South Carolina until 2021 when health issues demanded a move to Valparaiso to be near her daughter, Cynthia O’Dell (Mark Hoyert) and grandchildren: Matthew (Hannah) Hoyert & Shelby Hoyert (fiancé- Evan Frystak).
Following cremation at Angelcrest Crematory a private family ceremony will be held with burial of her urn at Greenlawn Memorial Park in Columbia, South Carolina.
GUESTBOOK
We sat in front of Illona at Asbury for many years and enjoyed her wit and friendship. She was a lovely lady. So sorry for your loss. -Strom and Beverly Johnston
A very special lady who joined a very big O'Dell family rooted in the Appalacian Mountains of WV. She is "my Hungarian aunt" whom I shared with six other of her WV nieces and nephews. We loved her and she loved us back. An "Army wife" she loved my uncle and her adopted country! My Christmases, Thanksgivings, Easters, and mid-summers will be taking on very different feeling as we have shared those special days nearly every year since my Uncle Ralph passed away in 1981! This big O'Dell clan in middle WV shares the sadness of losing her with her daughter, Cynthia O'Dell(Mark Hoyert) and grandchildren Matthew Hoyert (Hannah) and Shelby Hoyert. Aunt Ilona was special in so many ways and will be missed in so many ways. -Sharon O'Dell
It was our great fortune to get to know Ilona at Avalon during our weekly visits bringing our daughter (whom Ilona loved to hold) to visit her grandmother, Betty Campbell. Ilona lived such a fascinating life, and she was a hoot with a great sense of humor. We miss her already, and our prayers are with her family during this difficult time. Thank you for sharing her with us. -Kate Culligan
