Lisbeth Nancy Oden
With love and heartfelt sorrow, we celebrate the life of Lisbeth Nancy Oden.
Beth was born on March 1, 1968, in Morristown, NJ and passed on August 31, 2025 in her home on San Juan Island, WA. At 3 months old, she was brought home to Aspen, CO, where she lived most of her life.
Beth loved all creatures, great and small. She was sensitive and intuitive and had a connection with animals. Riding horses began at 3 years old. A member of 4H, she raised sheep, guinea pigs and chickens. She often had cats. Always, she had the company of her beloved dogs, mostly labradors, from 1 to 6 at a time, including foster dogs, who sometimes found their forever home with her. She volunteered at wildlife rescue centers in Florida and Colorado, often transporting injured animals. She had a connection with hummingbirds, bald eagles and orcas.
At 19 years old, she had her son Zackary Oden. Zack became the center of her life, throughout her life. He was her pride and joy. She raised him as a single mother, living close to her parents, Nancy and Dr. Robert Oden, who loved having Zack in their lives and who happily helped raise him.
She lived in several places, however her lifelong home was in Aspen or the Roaring Fork Valley. Her second, lifelong home was on Captiva Island, Florida. She was a valued member of the community on the island. In 2004 she volunteered to create and maintain a hurricane resource page for Sanibel and Captiva Islands, which benefited thousands of people.
Music and theater were both focuses of her life, for enjoyment and employment. Her closest circle of friends included many musicians and performers. Along with her mother, she was devoted to the Aspen Community Theater, usually doing props, often making them. With her friend, John Goss, she helped create and run the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue in Glenwood Springs, CO.
Beth traveled extensively with her family and enjoyed working as a travel agent for many years.
She was smart and had many talents. She was skilled with tools and loved building projects, esp. working on her homes. She created beautiful gardens and beaded jewelry. She was also good with computers, esp. building websites, often helping friends and families with computer needs.
Beth was a devoted friend, staying in touch with and giving loving support to many, in person and online. She loved making connections and staying connected. She recognized wounded hearts and cared for them.
She was both tenderhearted and strong. One of her closest friends described her as fragile and fierce. Another described her as loving, passionate, protective and steadfast.
Beth had a deep spiritual life, connecting through nature, meditation, music and teachings from many traditions. She created wonderful Christmas celebrations.
Three years ago, she moved to Washington to be close to Zack’s home in Seattle. She found her place of peace in the world on San Juan Island, where she happily lived the last years of her life.
Beth is survived by her son Zack Oden and his husband, David Martinez, of Seattle, WA, her sister, Louise Edwards of Seattle WA, and her brothers, Boyd Edwards of Stewartsville, NJ and Beach Edwards of Durango, CO, her niece Kaela Paulo of Doylestown, PA and nibling Aubrey Edwards of Seattle as well as her extended family of Odens, Clows and Spillers.
She was preceded in death by her parents Nancy Clow Oden and Dr. Robert R. Oden both of whom lived in Aspen, CO and Captiva Island, FL., and by other family members, friends and pets. She looked forward to being with them again, after her passing.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, May 16, 11 a.m., at the Glenwood Vaudeville Review, 915 Grand Ave., Glenwood Springs, CO.