Sr. Noeleta (James Mary) O’Dea, IHM, 91, died Sept. 7 in the IHM Health Care Center.

Sr. O’Dea was one of nine children, two boys and seven girls, of James and Mary (Roache) O’Dea. She was born Dec. 27, 1923, in Flint. She graduated from St. Michael High School in Flint. She became a member of the Sisters, Servants of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Monroe in 1942 and received the religious name Sr. James Mary. Sr. O’Dea earned degrees from Marygrove College, University of Detroit and Providence College in Rhode Island.

Sr O’Dea taught for 46 years , including at Holy Cross, Marine City; St. Matthew, St. Vincent and St. Rose, Detroit; St. Stephen and Port Huron Catholic, Port Huron; Our Lady of Lake Huron, Harbor Beach; and Marian High School, Bloomfield Hills. She spent 24 years at Luke Powers High School in Flint. Sr. O’Dea also served on the sodality sub-committee and in social action work.

Sr. O’Dea is survived by her sister, Patricia (Timothy) McGillen, and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her brothers, Francis and James; and sisters, Rose, Doris, Suzanne, Lauretta and Mary.

Mass of Christian Burial was Sept. 11 in the IHM Motherhouse chapel. Burial was to follow in St. Mary Cemetery.