Obituary of Jessie (MacNeil) O'Keefe, Glace Bay

Jessie (MacNeil) O’Keefe, formerly of 241 King Edward Street, Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, passed peacefully from this life to her eternal home on January 1, 2025, leaving a legacy of humour, spirituality and service that will endure for years to come.

 

Predeceased by the love of her life James in 2010, both were life-long residents of Glace Bay. Born in 1930, Jessie was the youngest and last surviving child of Thomas P. MacNeil (Pipers Cove) and Jessie (Sutherland) MacNeil of Soldiers Cove, and very proud of her Celtic heritage.

 

Upon graduating from St. Anne’s High School, Jessie attended the St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing, receiving her certificate in C.N.A. Nursing. She enjoyed her career at St Joseph’s Hospital for many years, all while raising her five children and caring for her aging parents and father-in-law.

In 1984, Jessie accepted the position of housekeeper with St. Anne’s Parish, Glace Bay, where she worked for 13 years.

 

Through the years, Jessie enjoyed writing poetry, reading, doing crafts, and time spent with friends and family…her teapot was always at the ready! Later in life she found new joy in doing online puzzles, word games, browsing and commenting on social media, and especially interacting with the far-flung family and younger generation.

 

Always, her strong faith and spirit of gratitude was ever present and showed in her disposition and her attitude towards life.

Jessie was very active in her faith and received her diploma for the 5-year Religious Education Program, was a member of St. Anne’s Society, the Ladies Choir, and a Lector in her parish, was active with the RCIA and Children’s Liturgy Committee when it first began.

 

She also served her faith with Cursillo, the Charismatic Renewal Programs, and a member of the Atlantic Association of Spiritual Exercises Apostolate (AASEA), serving on their executive for many years.

 

Jessie was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, James (Jim) and his parents, Patrick and Anne (Petrie) O’Keefe, also by her 10 siblings and their spouses: Mary Anne (AKA Sr. Joseph Peter), Florence (AKA Sr. Mary Jessica), Theresa (Henry) Andrews, Julia (Peter) Muir, Rosalia (Michael) MacNeil, Joseph (Olive), John (Blanche), Thompson (Rose), Fr. Roderick, and Peter in infancy.

 

Jessie was also predeceased by son-in-law Michael Kennedy (Rose Anne), brother-in-law Joseph O’Keefe and his wife Claire (Purcell), sister-in-law Moira O’Keefe, nieces Patricia MacNeil and Edna Andrews, and nephews David MacNeil and Roderick J. MacNeil.

Jessie is survived by her daughter Rose Anne (Fred), sons Terry (Amy), Tom (Veronica), John (Alison), and Rod (Heather).

She is also survived by her sixteen grandchildren: Kevin Campbell, Keith Campbell, Mark O’Keefe, Kelly Kennedy, Chris O’Keefe, Tara O’Keefe, Julie (Kennedy) Parnell, Rachael (O’Keefe) Braun, Scott Kennedy, Jennifer (O’Keefe) Tompkins, Ryan O’Keefe, Matthew O’Keefe, Aislinn O’Keefe, Brennan O’Keefe, Joshua O’Keefe, and Ainslee O’Keefe, as well as twenty-two great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.

Also surviving are many nieces and nephews with whom she did her very best to keep in touch and always held close to her heart. Jessie was quick to laugh, especially at her own expense, and tell a story to match any occasion. She fondly remembered her times with nieces Mary Linda, Mary Alice, Rosella, Anne, and Lorraine, who kept in special touch through the passing years.

 

The family extends thanks to the many health professionals who tended to Jessie’s care through the years, especially her personal care workers over the past months: Michele MacDonald, Kelly James, Jennet MacLean, Heather MacDonald, Wenda Timmons, Janice Bond, and Cathy Parker.

 

Cremation has taken place under the direction of V.J. McGillivray Funeral Home, Glace Bay.

There will be no visitation, and Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at St. Anne’s Church, Glace Bay with Fr. Norman MacPhee presiding on Saturday January 4, 2025, at 1:30 PM. Interment in the parish cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers, Jessie has requested donations be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, the Regional Hospital Foundation, or to the Multiple Sclerosis Society. On line condolences to the family can be expressed at: www.vjmcgillivray.ca