Grace E. O’Keefe, 75, of Wilkinson Rd., Sherburne, NY, passed away peacefully at home, with her family at her side on Friday, May 25, 2012.
She was born July 5, 1936 in Brooklyn, a daughter of Joseph and Angelina Camarata Taibe and received her education in local schools. On September 1, 1956, Grace was united in marriage to Joseph R. O’Keefe in the Church of St. Catherine of Sienna, St. Albans, LI. Joe predeceased her on January 2, 2010. Grace was a homemaker whose family was everything to her and she devoted her life to them. Her favorite times were spent with her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed gardening and camping.
Surviving are her children, Ellen and Robert Franklin of Sherrill; Joann and Frank Portuese of Oxford; Kathleen and Benjamin Green of Sherburne; Jennifer and Braxton Tomsic of Smyrna; grandchildren, Tiffany and Thomas Evans of Sherrill; Jillian Portuese of Boston, MA; Robert Franklin of Mexico, NY; Nicole Green and Daniel Green, both of Sherburne; Gabrielle Tomsic and Joseph Tomsic, both of Smyrna; great-granddaughter, Ella Grace Evans; sisters-in-law, Joan Taibe, Annette Taibe and Jeanette Taibe and Arlene Cataldi; and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by a son, Joseph O’Keefe, Jr.; and four brothers, Salvatore, John, Alfred and Joseph Taibe.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11am Tuesday, May 29, 2012 from St. Malachy’s Church, Sherburne, followed by interment in St. Malachy’s Cemetery.
There are no calling hours.
Contributions in her memory may be made to Hospice and Palliative Care, 4277 Middle Settlement Rd., New Hartford, NY 13413.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Burgess & Tedesco Funeral Home, 10 S. Main St., Sherburne, NY.