Irene Oddy Houpt, 94, of Allegheny Forest area passed away Wednesday (May 30, 2012) at her residence.
Born June 28, 1917, in West Cowick, U.K., she was a daughter of Ben Ross and Beatrice Griscom Mercer Oddy. In 1969, in Philadelphia, she married Raul R. Houpt who preceded her in death.
Mrs. Houpt had been an administrative secretary for the British Consulate in Pittsburgh. She also had been employed by Walter H. Eagan, Co. Inc., Smith Koch, Co. Inc., Franklin Institute Research Center and Arvin Calspan, Inc. all in Philadelphia
At the age of seven, she was afflicted with Polio and had to wear metal braces for most of her life. Even though she had this illness during World War II, she served as an Air Warden in the town of Leeds, U.K. and she also was the lead secretary for the Allied Forces Air Warden Division, One night while going on patrol she had crossed a bridge which got bombed out by the Germans while she was on it .
She was a member of the Olivet Covenant Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia; the AARP and the DAV Auxiliary.
When the war was over, she came to American and gained her citizenship. She was a remarkable woman who remained steadfast in her ways and was loved very much by her whole family and all of those she met. The one thing she regretted was not being able to thank a WW II veteran for going over to Europe at their time of need and offering their supreme sacrifices for saving her homeland. Her family hopes this revelation will fulfill her dream.
Surviving are her son, Richard Oddy and his wife of Northwest. PA; a niece Helga Fry; a nephew, Alan S. Oddy; a grandniece Jessica Fry; and two grandnephews, Darren Oddy and Leigh Oddy.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Alan S. Oddy, Sr.
Mrs. Houpt has donated her remains to the Humanity Gifts Registry.
Memorial donations may be made to the Olivet Covenant Presbyterian Church, 22nd and Mt. Vernon Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19130.
Online condolences can be expressed at www.cummingsfh.com