Surrounded by her family, Odile Marie-Louise Draa (Prevo) passed away on February 21, 2024, in her home of 32 years. Odile was born to Randall and Irene Prevo on March 16th, 1948 in Stockton, CA. as second born of four sisters. Early on, she had a passion for nurturing animals, in particular horses, emulating her cowboy father. She was also exceptionally artistic, creative and a talented artist. So after graduating from St. Mary’s high school, she majored in painting in college but soon realized her love for, and true calling for educating young children, and received her degree in Early Childhood Development.
She began working for Discovery Day School in Mill Valley, CA. 1976, where she started as a pre-school teacher until she was offered the role as Director for Northgate Nursery School in Danville, Ca. After 8 years, a short stint designing clothing, and the birth of her second child, she opened The Draa Family Christian Pre-School and Learning Center as both Owner and Director, located in San Ramon, CA, and later Manteca, CA. for a total of 35 yrs.
Odile was passionate about sharing the love of our Lord with others. She traveled the world, and as a young adult Odile prioritized participation in a faith community, first at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, Catholic Church in Mill Valley CA., followed by St. Anthony of Padua, Catholic Church in Manteca where she was a Member of the Legion of Mary, becoming an Auxiliary Member. She incorporated Christianity in her pre-schools curriculum, and served as her parish’s Respect Life Representative for 20 years.
As a loyal servant of God, Odile was dedicated to being an advocate for all children, born and unborn; as she served on the Board of Directors for the Pregnancy Help Center of Manteca; organizing and leading the “Right For Life” Marches in San Francisco for many years; evangelizing and building community wherever she went. Her credo was God first, then husband, children, and grandchildren.
She is survived by her two daughters Marie Graziano of Las Vegas, NV, and Nicole Draa Woods of Daly City, CA., along with the five lights of her life, her grandsons: Payton, Jaykob, Aiden, William (Will) and Carson.
She will be remembered as a spiritual warrior, loving wife, mother, teacher and friend.
John 11:25-26 “Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die.”
Memorial Mass will be held on Friday, March 22, 2024 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, 505 East North St., Manteca, 95337.
She will be laid to rest in a private burial next to her husband William Carl Draa in St. John’s Cemetery, followed by a Celebration of Life.
Manteca (Calif.) Bulletin
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
