Obituary: Irene May O'Keefe, 86, of Southbury

Obituary courtesy of Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury

SOUTHBURY, CT - Irene May (Sullivan) O’Keefe, 86, of Southbury, died Friday, November 13, 2020 at the home of her daughter, surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 9, 1934 in Waterbury, daughter of the late John and Marie (Gagne) Sullivan and had lived in Waterbury and Wolcott prior to moving to Southbury many years ago. She was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Navy.

Irene earned a Masters Degree in Secondary Education from Central CT State University and a Sixth Year from Wesleyan University. Mrs. O’Keefe was an English Teacher and the head of the English Department at Wolcott High School for many years prior to her retirement. She was a volunteer EMT with the Heritage Village Ambulance Association in Southbury for over 10 years. Irene enjoyed opera, and classical music concerts. Most of all, she enjoyed vacationing with her family on yearly trips to Cape Cod and Florida. Irene was a loving and dedicated grandmother, never missing an opportunity to support her grandchildren.

She is survived by her son, Thomas O’Keefe and his wife Lillian of Winter Haven, FL; her daughter, Carrie Levesque and her husband John of West Simsbury; two grandchildren, Simon and Sophie Levesque and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her first husband Quentin Stahl and her second husband, John J. O’Keefe and three sisters, Helen Marchenko, Jane Mack and Marie DelFemine.

At this time, services will be private. The Vincent Funeral Home of Simsbury is caring for the arrangements. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation, in Irene’s honor, to a charity of your choice. Please visit Irene’s “Book of Memories” at www.vincentfuneralhome.com for online tributes.