Maureen O’Keefe, of Yonkers, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2024. Her age is something a lady never tells.  

Mary Katherine Bernadette Gildea Houlihan Joyce Sawyer O’Keefe, our Queen Maureen, was born August 6, 1925, in Oughterard, County Galway, Ireland – the firstborn child of Samuel and Mae (nee Joyce) Sawyer. At the age of 4, she set sail for New York with her beloved Grandma “Mamma”, and her aunts & uncles, to join her parents in the United States. 

Maureen was raised in Washington Heights, Manhattan and was a proud big sister to Thomas, Patricia, John “Jackie”, Barbara, and Michael. The family would travel to Rockaway, Queens for summer vacations (a tradition that she continued with her own sons). Maureen went to Our Lady of Lourdes School and then, commuted downtown to attend Notre Dame Academy. She first worked for Met Life Insurance Company. Then, as her sons grew up, she worked at the family establishment, Joyce’s. Later, she was the manager of St. Patrick’s Cathedral Gift Shop. 

Maureen met her future husband, Luke O’Keefe, at Gaelic Park and that is precisely where they had their wedding reception on May 15, 1954. They raised their three sons, Denis, John, and Luke Jr., on Broadway in Good Shepherd Parish, Inwood. Maureen could be found in the stands cheering on her sons at their track meets, basketball, soccer, and Gaelic football games. 

Maureen was a lifelong learner - a keen crossword puzzler and voracious reader. With her PanAm bag packed, she was off to visit loved ones! Maureen was a proud West Point Mom, and traveled to see her Lt. Colonel almost everywhere he was stationed, including Germany and Hawaii. Maureen visited her grandkids in Holland and made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land. For their 50th Wedding Anniversary, Luke and Maureen celebrated with a Golden Jubilee mass at St. Patrick’s, a trip back home to Ireland,  and a family trip to South Carolina. She had always wanted to go to Rome to visit the Vatican.

Maureen was warm, witty and wise, cheeky and charming. Her faith was deep and her love for her family was fierce. Losing her leaves a chasmic hole in our hearts, but we will carry her steadfast, stalwart love with us for the rest of our days. 

Maureen is mourned by her brother, Michael Sawyer; sons Denis (Diana), John (Nina), and Luke (Phyllis); her five beloved grandchildren Theresa Harris (Shelton), John Jr. (Jeanette), Meghan, Michael (Kayla), and Katie (Ray Mechmann); her six great-grandchildren Dominick, Zachary, Brody, Cory, Anna, and Evelyn; as well as her many nieces and nephews, and dear friends.  

Maureen is coming Home to her husband of 63 years, Luke, and we hope she has a reunion celebration with her loved ones, just like at Joyce’s.

Wake services will be held on Monday, April 1 from 3 to 7 PM. Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, April 2 at St. Margaret of Cortona Church at 9:45 AM. Interment Gate of Heaven Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, Maureen kindly asked that you remember the St. Francis of Assisi Breadline (https://stfrancisbreadline.org/memorials/). 

Her family would like to extend their deepest gratitude to the staff at both St. Cabrini Nursing Home and St. John’s Riverside for the kind care they gave our Matriarch. We love you, Granny Appleton.