Odette Simona Klein Herman, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away on June 25, 2024 in Washington, DC. She was 85. Daughter of the late Gigy and Felix Klein, Odette was born in Bucharest, Romania on November 11th,1938. After surviving the Holocaust, Odette and her parents continued living in Bucharest until they were able to escape Communist Romania in 1950. They immigrated first to Israel and then to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they enjoyed many happy years and the embrace of a loving community. Odette attended Lycée Franco-Bresilien (completing her Baccalauréat in Philosophy) followed by finishing school at The Club of the Three Wise Monkeys in London, England and at Le Mesnil in Montreux, Switzerland. She also studied interpreting at the University of Geneva in Geneva, Switzerland and then served as the interpreter for the then-Indonesian Ambassador to Brazil. Odette married Harry Herman, Jr., and they made their home and raised their three children in Washington, DC, and Chevy Chase, Maryland. She was an active and enthusiastic volunteer at her children’s schools and at THIS for Diplomats, an organization devoted to welcoming and assisting diplomatic families posted to Washington, D.C.

Odette’s greatest happiness was spending time with her three children, ten grandchildren, and many friends in the DC-area and across the globe. She will be remembered for her exceptional warmth, her beautiful smile, her devotion to family and friends, her love for life, and the joy she brought to all those who knew her. She is survived by her children Miriam (Sanford), Jacques (Tracy), and Henry (Candace), and grandchildren Gigi, Ella, Josephine, Gabriel, Sophie, Nicholas, Samantha, Elijah, Emily, and Hannah. There could not have been a more loving or engaged daughter, mother, and grandmother (Omi). She treasured every moment and celebrated every milestone. Her unconditional love was the greatest blessing. She will live in our hearts forever. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Worship & Music Fund at Washington Hebrew Congregation (whctemple.org/give/), where she was a beloved member for more than 50 years. The Funeral Service will be held on Friday, June 28, 2024, 10 a.m. at Washington Hebrew Congregation, 3935 Macomb Street NW, Washington, DC 20016 with interment to follow at Garden of Remembrance Memorial Park, 14321 Comus Road, Clarksburg, MD 20871. Services entrusted to Sagel Bloomfield Danzansky Goldberg.