DOB/DOD: August 5, 1894 (Akron, OH) – September 25, 1976 (Ft Lauderdale, FL), 82 years old
MARITAL STATUS: Married Norman M. Kennedy Sr. [1895-1975] on October 27, 1923, in Norwalk. Norman was in the U.S. Army from June 1917 to March 1919. They divorced in 1952, only to remarry again on July 23, 1971, in Broward County, Florida.
CHILDREN: Lost twins in childbirth in 1929 — a son and a daughter. One son, Norman M. Jr. [1931-2001].
LOCAL ADDRESS: 96 East Avenue, Norwalk
FAMILY: Born to William H. [1860-1946] and Harriet E. Rowan Odell [1862-1941]. Two brothers, Lansing D. [1885-1971] and William H. Jr. [1887-1960]. One sister, Harriett H. Odell Potter [1891-1985].
SERVICE DATES: Dance Instructor for the YMCA during the war. Returned to the United States in August 1919.
Portrait from Ancestry.com
From The Norwalk Hour August 26, 1919
LOCAL YMCA WORKER SEEN ON MOVIE SCREEN
Local residents who witnessed the moving pictures at the Regent Theatre last evening were pleasantly surprised to see Miss Cornelia Odell of 96 East Avenue as she was returning from YMCA entertainment duties in France. The picture was a Pathe News film of the arrival of the Imperator at Hoboken with the many soldiers and warfare workers aboard. Miss Odell was plainly seen by those who witnessed the picture among the warfare workers aboard the ship. Manager Kantor noticed at the last moment that Miss Odell was in the picture and quickly telephoned the Odell home. As a result, they witnessed the picture, and many other friends of Miss Odell were present and saw her on the ship. This film will be seen at the Palace Theatre in South Norwalk this evening, and many are planning to see it.
From The Bridgeport Telegram October 30, 1923
WAR ROMANCE ENDS IN MARRIAGE OF NORWALK BELLE
Miss Cornelia Odell Becomes Wife of Norman M. Kennedy, Artist of Note
NORWALK, October 29 – (Special to the Telegram) – A romance which had its beginning in France during the last World War culminated Saturday evening at 6 o’clock at 96 East Avenue, the home of Mr. and Mrs. William Henry Odell, when their younger daughter, Cornelia Ellen, became the bride of Norman Merle Kennedy, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Dare Kennedy of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Reverend George B. Tompkins of the Norwalk M.E. Church officiated. Miss Odell, who was given in marriage by her father, was gowned in oyster white chiffon velvet with panel back lined with fine lace ruffles falling from the shoulder and had a two-yard train. She wore a chiffon veil, caught in her hair with a silver band and bordered with real lace. Her sister, Mrs. Roland D. Potter, was her attendant. The couple will make their home in Los Angeles. Mr. Kennedy is an artist of note, having designed the House and Garden magazine covers for years and illustrations of various kinds. He is a member of the Art Students League and the Academy of Design and a graduate of Carnegie Technology. He is now an illustrating and art director of a motion picture company in California. Mr. Kennedy served two years in the Ambulance Corps in Italy at the beginning of the World War. He and his bride met in France while she was entertaining for the YMCA canteen units. He accompanied her songs on the banjo and danced with her at the various camps.
No obituary or burial information could be found for Cornelia Odell Kennedy or her husband, Norman. Norman’s ashes were buried at sea.
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