Joanne M. O'Keeffe

Obituary of Joanne M. O'Keeffe

Joanne Marie O'Keeffe, a retired executive secretary and devoted parishioner of St. Margaret Church, passed away peacefully on Friday, August 29, 2025. She was 89 years old.

Joanne was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the beloved daughter of Phillip and Margaret Vahey, and one of two children. She grew up in Cambridge and attended Rosary Academy before graduating from Cambridge Latin High School.

It was in Cambridge that she met the love of her life, Peter O'Keeffe. The two were married on June 14, 1958, and in 1961, they settled into their forever home in Burlington, where they built a beautiful life together.

Joanne and Peter were a wonderful couple whose personalities balanced each other perfectly. Joanne was the quieter of the two, preferring intimate conversations and small gatherings, while Peter was outgoing and social, thriving in larger crowds. Their love and companionship brought out the best in each other.

As a devoted wife, Joanne actively participated in many social and fundraising events through the Knights of Columbus, including the beloved K of C Minstrel Shows. She and Peter shared a deep love for dancing, especially to the tunes of the Big Band era. Together, they performed a lively swing and jitterbug that always lit up the room.

Joanne's faith was a guiding force throughout her life. She was a deeply involved member of St. Margaret's Church, serving as a Eucharistic Minister, lector, and choir member. She was also part of the Morgairs women's group at St. Malachy's Church.

When Peter passed away in 2016, Joanne faced the loss with strength and grace. She returned to driving and embraced her independence, continuing to live fully and meaningfully.

Joanne had a flair for fashion and a love for shopping, always with an eye for a good bargain. Known as the "Queen of Deals," she believed that if one pair of shoes fit perfectly, buying them in every color was a sensible decision. She extended her shopping talents to her daughters and grandchildren making sure they could hear her mantra in their heads saying, " Who would be without it."

She delighted in decorating her home for every season and holiday, with storage bins full of cheerful decorations tucked away in her basement. Her home was always a warm, welcoming space, filled with love and festive spirit.

Joanne had a unique personality, full of charm and little quirks that endeared her to those who knew her. She loved spending time with her neighbors, going out for lunch dates, and making up silly songs to sing with her grandchildren. She had a special fondness for fresh strawberries, soft-serve twist ice cream in a waffle cone, and above all else, Diet Coke-specifically from McDonald's, with lots of ice. She rarely passed a McDonald's without stopping for her favorite treat, and when she couldn't go herself, her family was more than happy to fetch it for her.

An active member of the Burlington Garden Club, Joanne also enjoyed ceramics classes making treasures that continue to be loved today . Her creative spirit and love of beauty shone through in all she did.

Throughout her life, Joanne balanced family and career with grace. She worked full-time at Dowd Paper in Cambridge, MA. She worked part-time at Little Brown Publishing, and Marshalls while raising her children. Once they were settled in school, she began a full-time career at MITRE Corporation, where she served as an administrative assistant for over 30 years, retiring at the age of 76 as the executive assistant to a Vice President. She cherished the friendships she made at MITRE and took great pride in her work.

Above all, Joanne was a devoted mother and grandmother. She showed her love through thoughtful gifts, small gestures, and quality time spent with her family. One of her most cherished traditions was the family's annual two-week Goose Rocks beach vacation in Kennebunkport, Maine. Days were spent enjoying the sunshine and surf, while evenings were filled with family dinners, shared stories, and endless visits to the gift shops. These memories will be treasured forever.

Joanne will be remembered for her kindness, her unwavering faith, her sharp sense of style, and her deep love for her family. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of all who were lucky enough to know and love her.

Joanne was the beloved wife of the late Peter O'Keeffe. She was the loving mother and mother-in-law of Kim McCarthy & her husband Kevin of Tyngsborough and Kristin Block & her husband Glenn of Merrimack, NH. She was the sister of the late James Vahey. She was the loving "NaNa" of Kaitlin McCarthy of Tyngsborough, Abigail Block of Merrimack, NH, and the late Christopher Block. She was the sister in law to Carol Barker & her husband James of N. Reading, the late Constance "Sis"& Walter Bzibziak and the late Angie & John "Jack" O'Keeffe, Jr. She was also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn Street, Burlington on Tuesday, September 2 from 4-7 p.m. Funeral from the Sullivan Funeral Home on Wednesday, September 3 at 9 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Margaret Church in St. Veronica Parish, www.stveronicama.org, 111 Winn Street, Burlington, MA at 10 a.m. Services will conclude with a burial at Pine Haven Cemetery, Burlington.

Memorials in Joanne's name may be made to People Helping People, Burlington.