Gloria June O’Keefe

Gloria June O’Keefe

1928-2015

Gloria June O’Keefe, age 87, passed away of natural causes on November 9, 2015 in Edmond, Oklahoma.

Gloria June O’Keefe was born May 24, 1928 in St. Louis, Missouri to Everett E. Thomas and June Greene Thomas. Gloria was raised in and around St. Louis along with her younger siblings, Carol Moxley, Beverly Thomas and Pat Jahn. As the oldest daughter, Gloria often shared responsibility in raising her younger sisters. Gloria spent some of her best summers as a child visiting her grandmother’s farm in Alton, Illinois.

Gloria worked for several years at the St. Louis Globe Democrat as a statistician. On August 23, 1953 Gloria was married to Timothy J. O’Keefe. They moved to Crestwood, a suburb of St. Louis, in September 1955, where they raised their daughter Linda Rae Allen along with their twins, Michael and Sheila.

Gloria was a devout Christian throughout her life and attended the Avon and Kirkwood Churches of Christ for many years. She was an avid reader and believed strongly in education; receiving her High School GED at age 45. All three of her children received undergraduate degrees and graduate degrees. After the children were grown, Gloria worked for several years at Community Federal Savings and Loan in St., Louis. She followed business news closely and she was a self taught expert on the stock market.

Gloria had an eye for style and always dressed impeccably. She loved her children and their children and when she and Tim retired to Florida in 2007, they bought a large home in order to be able to host family reunions.

Gloria is survived by her husband of 62 years, Timothy J. O’Keefe of Edmond, Oklahoma, her sister Pat Jahn of Santa Rosa Beach, Florida, her daughter Linda Giddens of Shelby, Alabama, her daughter Sheila Goodenough of Marshfield, Massachusetts and her son Michael J. O’Keefe of Edmond, Oklahoma. She is also survived by five grandchildren and four great grandchildren.

Viewing will be on Friday Nov. 13, from 1-2:30 with a public graveside service to follow at 3:00 at Gracelawn Cemetery, Edmond.

Services are under the direction of Matthews Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Edmond.