Florence Chinyere Odita

Florence Chinyere Odita, age 82, of Upper Arlington, Ohio, passed away on February 2, 2025. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend who will be dearly missed by all who knew her.

Born on September 11, 1942, in Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria, Florence was the cherished daughter of Douglas Uzegbu Uwandu and Nwanna Ohaegbulem Eziaha Uwandu. Her commitment to education and lifelong learning was evident through her impressive academic achievements, which included a Ph.D. in Industrial Psychology from Ohio State University, a Juris Doctorate from Capital University, a Master's degree in Psychology from Indiana State University, and a Bachelor's degree in Business from Indiana University.

Florence was a dedicated professional, serving as the Director of Research and Evaluation at the Ohio Department of Welfare and Human Services, from which she took early retirement in 1999. A member of the Columbus Bar Association, she was deeply committed to her community and philanthropy. Her travels across Europe, Asia, and Africa sparked her passion for humanitarian work, compelling her to visit orphanages, homes for disabled children, and hospices where she generously donated supplies and funds from her own resources and from organizations she supported in Columbus. Notably, her charitable activities included contributing to the construction of the St. Mark's Women Ministries Shopping Complex in Idem Ogwa, a village in Nigeria, in loving memory to her mother and father.

Her philanthropic spirit shone through her involvement with groups such as the Weavers of Nigeria and the Nigerian Women's Support Network. She served on the Boards of the OSU Women in Development and the National Association of Welfare Research and Statistics, where she was President in 1992. Additonally she was a member of United Nations Association (UNA) Columbus Chapter. In 1995, she traveled to Beijing, China, to attend the World Conference on Women, an event dedicated to empowering women globally.

Florence was a charitable member of the St. James Episcopal Church. She was known for her adventurous spirit, love for travel, enthusiasm for singing and dancing, and her passion for shopping. An avid collector of fine china, jewelry, and artwork she cherished the treasures acquired during her extensive travels throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, the Caribbean, Mexico, Russia, and South America. Her life was filled with laughter, kindness, and a deep appreciation for the power of knowledge.

Florence's kind heart and passion for giving will be her enduring legacy. She is survived by her husband Emmanuel Okechukwu Odita; son Odili Donald Odita; daughters, Chinyere Peggy Odita-Hodel and Uzoma Betsy Odita; son, Chukuemeka Eric Odita; and her beloved grandchildren, Xolani Raine Hodel, Ifeanyi Aliya Odita, and Xander Jide Hodel.