Jennie OKEEFE

O'KEEFE - Jennie Shaw Of Bowling Green, KY, passed from this life January 4, 2015, at Hospice House of Southern Kentucky. Mrs. O'Keefe was born on a small farm in Center Berlin, NY on April 20, 1923. After completing high school in Berlin, she attended and graduated from the Samaritan Hospital School of Nursing, Troy, NY. She resided in Watervliet, NY with her husband and nine children until 1962 when the family moved to Buffalo, NY. After obtaining a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Buffalo, she worked as a critical care nurse at St. Francis Hospital in Buffalo until her retirement. Prior to moving to Bowling Green in 2007, Jennie was an active member of St. Joseph Church in Buffalo, presenting, among other parish events, the yearly St. Joseph's Table, an age-old Italian tradition. After retiring from nursing, Mrs. O'Keefe stayed active through her work as a volunteer tax preparer with AARP, giving 25 years of service in New York and Kentucky. As a lifelong learner and evidence of her belief in the power of education, she created and funded the John J. and Jennie O'Keefe Scholarship at Canisius College, Buffalo, which awards tuition for students with entrepreneurial intentions. Mrs. O'Keefe was preceded in death by her husband John (1996) and a son Daniel (1995). She is survived by her children: Dr. Dennis M. O'Keefe (Lynn), Dr. John J. O'Keefe (Joanne), Dr. Timothy F. O'Keefe, Mary Ellen O'Keefe, RN, ARNP/PMHL (Marie Eaton), Patrick S. O'Keefe (Winnie), Dr. Mary Clare O'Keefe, Peter S. O'Keefe (Renee) and Paul M. O'Keefe; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Friday, February 27 from 4-7 PM at Parker Brothers Memorial Funeral Home, 2013 Broadway, Watervliet. A short prayer service will take place at 7 PM at the Funeral Home. A graveside prayer service and burial will take place on Saturday, February 28 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick's Cemetery, Watervliet. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of a contribution to Hospice House of Southern Kentucky or the John J. and Jennie S. O'Keefe Scholarship at Canisius College, 2001 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14208-1517. Visit www.parkerbrosmemorial.com for condolence book and directions.