Linda O'Keefe Lamkin

Lamkin, Linda O'Keefe Community volunteer and mother, passed away peacefully at age 48 on December 4th surrounded by her family. She had waged an inspirational fight against cancer and did so with a rare grace, unflagging optimism, a beautiful smile and sparkling Irish eyes for nearly three years. It was a battle that she ultimately won.
After her career as a writer/editor with Hallmark Cards in Kansas City followed by several years with SBC Publications in St. Louis, Mrs. Lamkin volunteered for various causes including serving as a volunteer buyer for The Sign of the Arrow, but most notably at Mary Institute & Saint Louis Country Day School where her four children attended. It was as a mother, however, where Mrs. Lamkin left her indelible mark of excellence and finally, her legacy. She was much like an artist, but one whose medium was neither paint, nor marble or plaster, but rather the human character. She took her role seriously and relished rather than dreaded the daily challenges of child-rearing. She made her children nearly the sole focus of her life. She took pride in her 'job' as a stay-at-home mom and embraced all of the opportunities it provided to utilize her creativity, intuition, humor and many other gifts. She never considered it work, but rather her primary reason for being and by all accounts, she was a master at her profession together with being a compassionate caretaker for the family's two dogs, Simba and Toby.
Mrs. Lamkin is survived by Walter R. Lamkin Sr., her husband of 22 years and by her beloved children, Killian Hein Lamkin, Kathrine Bishop Lamkin, Gibson O'Keefe Lamkin and Walter Russell Lamkin Jr., all of the home. She is also survived by her parents, James L. and Norma O'Keefe of St. Louis; her sister, Kelly O. 'Sissie' Heintzelman (Phillip); two brothers, James L. O'Keefe III of Chicago and Brian B. O'Keefe (Claudine) of Mukwonago, Wisconsin; her father- and mother-in-law, John T. and Kathrine L. Lamkin of Cape Girardeau; J. Tucker Lamkin Jr. (Kathleen) of Maplewood, New Jersey, Richard B. Lamkin (Susan) of Montgomery, Alabama, Kathrine L. Trammell (Vic) of Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Melissa L. O'Connor (Thomas) of West Hartford, Connecticut, Clayton W. Lamkin of Quincy, Illinois; eighteen nieces and nephews; nine grand-nieces and nephews; several uncles and aunts and nine cousins, together with innumerable special friends.
The family is grateful for the care of Dr. Burt Needles and his staff, Dr. Joel Picus, Dr. David Mutch, the St. John's Mercy Intervention Radiology team, Ms. Inge Hynes of The Wellness Community and Carolyn Mannion, RN of Unity Health Hospice for their care, but more importantly, for their warmth, compassion and kindness during Mrs. Lamkin's journey.Services:A funeral Mass for Mrs. Lamkin will be held at 4:00 p.m., Fri., Dec. 9 at The Church of the Immacolata, 8900 Clayton Rd., followed by a reception in celebration of her extraordinary life at The University Club, 1034 S. Brentwood. Cremation and services have been arranged by KRIEGSHAUSER WEST Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, if desired, memorial contributions may be made in memory of Mrs. Lamkin to Mary Institute & Saint Louis Country Day School, 101 N. Warson, St. Louis, O 63124 or to The Wellness Community (for cancer patients and caregivers) at 1058 Des Peres Road, Des Peres, MO 63131.