Maureen Bray Oddone

1945- 2018

Born in the seaside city of Troon, in western Scotland, Maureen (Mo) immigrated to America aboard the RMS Queen Mary at age seven with her parents, Elizabeth and Andrew Bray. After Andrew died in a traffic accident following their arrival; his anguished widow and daughter returned to Scotland. The two traveled again to America, this time, to Colorado Springs, where Elizabeth married Eugene D. Oddone, and where Mo’s brother, Eugene Zaverio Oddone was born.

A University of Colorado B.A. in English Lit in hand, Mo moved to London, but eventually found her true home in SF. She first worked as a journalist, advocating for the vulnerable and marginalized. Her creative input helped set in motion the 1979 establishment of SF’s Lyon/Martin Clinic, the first health facility to provide non-judgmental care to the Bay Area’s Lesbian Community. Her astute marketing skills later proved invaluable to organizations from LGBT reproductive services to international investment and non-profit firms.

Savoring time alone, Mo read extensively; her literary tastes ran from Scottish poetry to white-knuckle thrillers. Her compassion for animals had many a cat and dog landing on its paws in her care.

Setbacks from breast cancer did not overshadow Mo’s witty irreverence. She met a recent challenge with a Dorothy Parker quip: “What fresh hell is this?” Mo died on Valentine’s Day, her devoted, former partners, Sherron Mills and Leslie Martin, at her side. She is pre-deceased by both her parents and is survived by her brother Eugene Oddone, MD, sister-in-law Grace Couchman, MD of Durham, North Carolina, nieces Cameron Hom, Ania Berchuk, and Helen Oddone, as well as family in Canada, England, and Scotland.

Mo was given a green burial in a heather-strewn grave, a bagpipe version of the Scottish lullaby, “The Skye Boat,” sending her on her way.