Odette Ruben

Odette Ruben, 89, of Texas City, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2015 in Texas City, Texas.

Funeral services will be held 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City. Burial will follow at Galveston Memorial Park in Hitchcock. Visitation will be 1:00 -3:00 p.m., Tuesday, September 15, 2015, at Emken-Linton Funeral Home in Texas City.

By the time you read this I will be with yesterday's 7000 years, hopefully finding answers to those questions about which I have always wondered, such as why are we here? Is there intelligent life out there? Will I be reunited with my family?

It's been a long journey since that cold day on January 19, 1926 when Mike and Thelma Mesinger brought into this world a bouncing baby girl whom they named Odette. Shortly after my birth the family moved back to Houston where my father had been born. We lived in a couple of other places during my growing years but always gravitated back to Houston until my senior year in high school. That was when we moved to Galveston where I graduated from Ball High and then set out to "go north" to St. Louis. There I obtained my BFA from Washington University.

Big Brother Herbert had just been honorably discharged from the Navy and with help and advice from our father, we opened a dress factory with me as a designer, Herbert as the do-it-all man. Some of you may recall Odette Mesinger Junior Dresses. We did quite well, selling to stores such as Neman's, Foley's, Nathans, until we realized experienced help in that field was next to impossible- in this area at that time. Poor Herbert tried doing everything but realized it was too difficult for one person.

It was about that time I met and married Steve, the man with whom I would share the next fifty years. We raised two beautiful daughters, Leslie and Stefani, both of whom were taken from us too early.
When the girls started grade school, I turned back to my art and started painting, first in oils, then settling on water colors. Through the years I studied with many of the best artists of the time. Soon I began entering my work in regional and national exhibits. I felt fortunate to be accepted into these juried shows and to win in a number of them.
When I had enough "points", I was awarded the designation of PSSIG member in the Texas Water Color Society and Elite Sig in Washington. Many of my water colors depicting Texas City and how far we have come are on permanent display at the Doyle Convention Center.

Unhappily, I was preceded in death by my father and mother; brother, Herbert; husband, Dr. Steve Ruben; daughters, Leslie and Stefani. Consequently I leave no immediate family other than cousins plus many close and wonderful friends.

Those who wish may make donations to the Animal Alliance of Galveston County, the American Cancer Society or a favorite charity.

Visitation

EmkenLinton Funeral Home
5100 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway
Texas City, TX  77592
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
1:00 -3:00 p.m.

Service

EmkenLinton Funeral Home
5100 Emmett F. Lowry Expressway
Texas City, TX  77592
Tuesday, September 15, 2015
3:00 p.m.

Cemetery

Galveston Memorial Park
7301 Memorial Drive
Hitchcock, TX  77563

Memorial Contributions

Animal Alliance Galveston County
1014 Bayou Rd
La Marque, TX  77568