Christine Carole O’Keeffe, age 55, passed away peacefully at her home in San Jose, CA after a long battle with bone marrow cancer. Chrissy faced her illness with strength and joy, based in her faith in the Lord. She looked forward to meeting with Him, and being reunited with parents, family, and friends who had gone before her. She will be missed by many who were touched by her continued optimism and sense of humor.
Chrissy was born in San Francisco to John and Patricia O’Keeffe, and attended school at St. Justin’s in Santa Clara, Mother Butler High School in San Jose, University of San Francisco, and West Valley College. She received a BA in Art History from San Jose State University, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Santa Clara University.
Chrissy enjoyed a long career in social services as counselor and supervisor. She worked at South Valley Counseling in Gilroy, Rebekah’s Children’s Services in Gilroy, and Sacramento County Juvenile Probation Department through Catholic Healthcare West. Chrissy was devoted to her chosen field because she felt she could make a difference in the lives of at-risk youth. Prior to her counseling career, Chrissy worked at A&W in Santa Clara, Sears in Mountain View, Koala Technologies, and Stanford University, which resulted in many lifelong friendships.
Some of the most important things in Chrissy’s life were her strong faith in God, her Irish heritage, and love of friends, family, and her cat Guinness. She will be remembered for her delight in irises and all things Christmas (“You can never have too many pairs of Christmas socks!”), color-coordinating earrings to each outfit, her enjoyment of playing board games, watching the 49ers, and collecting fairy figurines. She loved reading the Bible, as well as historical and romance novels, and listening to Christian, country, and folk music. Chrissy had a great memory, and served as the family historian.
Highlights of her life included her 2003 trip to Ireland, Scotland, and England with her sisters, attending Super Bowl XXX, her 50th birthday cruise to Mexico with friends (tiaras for everyone!), vacations in Cazadero with cousins, and seeing the Beatles in concert in Candlestick Park in 1964.
Chrissy often mentioned her appreciation of the many friends who helped through the treatment and recovery phases of her illness, “Chrissy-sitting” when she couldn’t be left alone, and providing transportation, meals, companionship, and encouragement.
Besides her many friends, Chrissy will be missed by her nieces and nephews who held a very special place in her heart: Julie and Billy Whitaker and great-niece, Alexa, of Discovery Bay; Scott Marshall of Los Angeles; Ryan Smith and Rory Smith of Chico; Ian Campbell and Claire Campbell of Powell, WY. Each of them will treasure the special letter for their 21st birthdays expressing her memories, pride in accomplishments, and hopes for each one’s future.
Chrissy will be deeply missed by her sisters and brothers-in-law: Cathy and John Campbell of Powell, WY; Diane and Barry Smith of Chico, and Marcia and Mike Marshall of Morgan Hill. They will remember with fondness their “sister visits” filled with laughter, watching videos, playing games, swimming, and shopping. We are happy that Chrissy is now at eternal peace.
A private inurnment ceremony will be held at Santa Clara Mission Cemetery at a later date.
