Mary Anne O'Keefe

1933 - 2024

Niantic - Mary Anne Forshaw O'Keefe died peacefully Nov. 27, 2024. A life-long resident of Southeastern Connecticut, she was born in Norwich Jan. 24, 1933.

Her father Michael Zieziulewicz operated a grocery store in downtown New London, which was the setting of the stories she would later tell about riding out the 1938 Hurricane. When Mary Anne was eight, her mother Marian Kendzior passed away. Her family later moved to Pleasure Beach in Waterford, where Michael operated a grocery store with Mary Anne's stepmother Ann Zieziulewicz, with whom Mary Anne grew very close. Mary Anne attended Great Neck School, the W.M.I. High School, the Norwich Art School, and Mitchell College. She had a long and distinguished career at the Seaside Regional Center in Waterford. After her retirement, Mary Anne served on the board of ARC of Southeastern Connecticut and was a longtime advocate for the developmentally disabled.

In 1956, Mary Anne married Robert E. Forshaw. Following his death, Mary Anne married John P. O'Keefe, who also predeceased her. Mary Anne is survived by her siblings, Robert Larson and Carol Robinson; as well as by her sister-in-law Delia Zieziulewicz. She was predeceased by her siblings, Sophia Martinson and Michael Zieziulewicz Jr. Mary Anne will be missed dearly by her four children and their spouses: Brian Forshaw (Angela), Robin Forshaw, Mary Beth Forshaw (Thomas Merrill) and Jack O'Keefe (Robin); and by the six grandchildren she adored: Brittany Forshaw, Bethany Grady (Timothy), Jack O'Keefe (Joeli), Robert Forshaw (Katie), Colin O'Keefe (Millena) and William Merrill. She is survived by six great-grandchildren who brought her joy.

Mary Anne loved life and found fulfillment in hobbies that included painting, going to the theatre and gardening. She served on the Waterford Board of Education and volunteered with Friends of Harkness, Care & Share of East Lyme and the Eugene O'Neill Playwrights Conference in its early years. Nothing gave her more pleasure than spending time with friends and family. She was a very social person, regularly enjoying meals with family and her many friends from W.M.I., Seaside, Chapman Farms and the Emblem Club. Once you were in her circle as family or friend, she made sure you stayed there through letters, calls and texts.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital who cared for Mary Anne in her final weeks. Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, at the Thomas L. Neilan & Sons East Lyme Funeral Home, 48 Grand Street in Niantic, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 14, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New London. An Interment will be privately held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Care & Share of East Lyme, P.O. Box 314, Niantic, CT 06357. Condolences may be shared on Mary's memorial page at www.neilanfuneralhome.com.