Sara Jane O'Keefe

Sara Jane O'Keefe

April 11, 1933 - October 18, 2025

On October 18, 2025, Sara Jane O'Keefe (Keaveny Struett) passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her devoted family. Sara was preceded in death by her loving husband of 66 years, Robert O'Keefe. She is survived by her dear family, including her daughters Bridget (James Sepich) and Kate (Michael Flores); her grandchildren Bridget Flores (Bryant Purse), Jack Flores (Sofia Girod), Bobby Flores, Jake Sepich, Elida Sepich and Liv Sepich; and her four great-grandchildren, Sara & Michael Enrique Flores, and Viola & Baldwin Purse. The matriarch of the family, Sara had a special relationship with all of her grandchildren, and she loved nothing more than being surrounded by her great-grandchildren's limitless energy and laughter. Sara was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Jo Bowman, and her brothers, Henry and Lou Struett. A beloved aunt, Sara adored her many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews who provided more love and laughter in her life.

Sara was born in Burlington, Iowa on April 11, 1933 to Dr. Thomas and Lenore Keaveny. At a young age, Sara and Mary Jo's father, Thomas, passed away, necessitating her mother Lenore to relocate to Chicago to work as a nurse and her grandmother to take in the girls in Cascade, Iowa. Lenore subsequently married Joseph Struett, who adopted Sara and Mary Jo, prompting a move to Chicago's South Shore neighborhood, where Sara attended St. Phillip Neri Catholic Grade School and Aquinas High School. Sara went to St. Mary's College in South Bend and became a lifelong St. Mary's & Notre Dame sports fan.

In 8th grade, Sara attended a football game where she met Bob O'Keefe, who was immediately smitten. Beginning with a first date at 14, Sara and Bob's lifelong love story continued until Bob's passing in 2022 and lives on in their eternal peace. In 1956, a madly in-love Sara and Bob eloped at St. Viator's in Arlington Heights, Illinois. After the dust settled, they established their home in South Shore near their parents, and their daughters Bridget and Kathy soon followed. The young family had a wonderful life, surrounded by family and dear friends. They enjoyed their time at the South Shore Country Club and Sara stubbornly refused to give up her love of the Chicago White Sox (despite the countless Cubs games Bob dragged her to). In 1971, the family moved to Long Beach, Indiana where Sara built a new life. Her joyful, fun-loving spirit attracted a whole new cadre of close friends, which she added to the quilt of her life-long relationships. Until the end, Sara still had friends from grade-school, college, Chicago, and Long Beach - all of whom mourn the passing of this beautiful spirit.

Sara was a woman of many interests and talents. She taught at schools on the south side of Chicago and special education students at Sacred Heart in Michigan City. Sara built an interior design business in Indiana that created an environment of warmth and love in her clients' homes. Sara loved art and was a practicing artist, volunteering at the Art Institute of Chicago to restore priceless art works and painting until the end of her days. She loved to dance and was the life of the party at family weddings, convincing even the most reluctant of partners to join her on the dance floor. Her daughters could never break her of her love of the Bee Gees and dancing around the dining room table. Sara was great fun and had a giggle and smile that lit up a room. She wore wigs and Gogo boots in the 60s and was the epitome of grace, beauty and style throughout her life.

Sara's passion was her volunteer work at Misericordia Home. Sara volunteered there for decades, beginning at the original campus on the south side of Chicago and then volunteering in the Art Department at the north side campus with Misericordia residents. The residents were her angels, and the joy that they provided was fuel that sustained Sara and gave her life much meaning. What a blessing Misericordia was to Sara's life.

Sara will be sorely missed but always remembered fondly by her family and countless friends. Life will be brightened by her memory and presence which will stay with us always.

Visitation Friday, October 24, 2025 from 10 a.m. until time of Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of the Woods Church 6955 N Hiawatha Ave, Chicago, IL. Interment will be private. Arrangements Entrusted to Smith-Corcoran Funeral Home, Chicago, IL. For info call 773-736-3833.

The family of Sara would appreciate Memorial donations made to her favorite charity, Misericordia.