Helen O'Keefe

O'KEEFE Helen After a brief illness we announce the passing of our mother and grandmother Ellen (Helen) Mary O’Keefe (née Stapleton) after a long and fulfilling life in her 95th year. The last surviving member of her generation in the Stapleton and O’Keefe families, Helen was predeceased by her husband Edmund (Ed), her parents Michael and Julia (née Laurie), her sisters: Edith, Mary (John), Agnes (Hank), Sr. Mary Gregory, Winnifred (James) and her brothers: Leonard, Frank (Alicia), Thomas, Joseph (Anne), and Vincent (Theresa, Mary). Left to celebrate her life with cherished memories are her children: Ted (Gail) and grandchildren Michael and Laura, Paul (Vera) and grandchildren Christian and Julia, and Ann Marie (Glen Penney) and grandchildren Sarah, Daniel and Kate as well as nieces and nephews from both the Stapleton and O’Keefe families. Following her childhood on the family farm in St. Thomas, Helen completed her education at Our Lady of Mercy in St. John’s. After working in St. John’s for a number of years, she married and moved to Gander where she raised her family. She returned to work in the late 1960s at Newfoundland Power. In retirement, Helen and Ed moved to St. John’s where she was active in the Catholic Women’s League at St. Pius X Parish, played golf and took up bridge. Mom dearly loved her flower garden and playing bridge with her friends, many of whom were former Ganderites. She was fiercely independent and had an unwavering faith. She also had a strong sense of family and enjoyed having them close. We would like to thank Dr. Patrick O’Shea for his care of mom, the staff at 4 South B at the Health Sciences Centre, as well as the staff of Chancellor Park where she resided for the last three months. Due to current public health restrictions, there will be no public visitation. A private funeral will be held on July 2, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Mary Queen of Peace Church. Online condolences can be offered at www.cauls.ca/obits In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Gathering Place or a charity of one’s choice.