Celebrating the life of
Joyce O'Keefe
May 14, 1930 - August 16, 2015
Joyce Caroline Doggendorf O’Keefe, 85, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2015, at Memorial University Medical Center. She was born in Atlanta, Georgia, daughter of Joseph and Lucy (Baker) Doggendorf. She moved to St. Louis, Missouri at the age of 14 where she attended high school. After graduation, Joyce returned to Atlanta where she was employed by the United States Government at Fort McPherson. There she met the love of her life, Walter Francis O’Keefe. They married October 31, 1953 and moved to Sioux City, Iowa. After Walters discharge from the military, they relocated to New Jersey and raised their family. Joyce was very active in St. Ann’s PTA. Later, she was employed as a secretary at St. James Elementary School in Red Bank, New Jersey. They retired to the Landings at Skidaway Island in 1996. She was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church in Savannah. Joyce was a devoted and loving wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. Her sisters, Marjorie Jansen, twin sister, JoAnn Hall, brother, Paul Doggendorf and son, Walter Joseph O’Keefe preceded her in death.
Surviving are her husband of 62 years, Walter F. O’Keefe of Savannah; children, Kathleen (James) Conroy of Red Bank, NJ; Linda Ferdine of Tinton Falls, NJ; Cheryl (Jeff) Guempel of St. Louis, MO; Marjorie (Paul) Devine of Tinton Falls, NJ: her eight special and precious grandchildren, Walter, Jeffrey (Robin), Kimberly (Daniel), Dane (Suni), Chad, Caroline, Meaghan, William; her three adorable great grandchildren, Madison, Ella, Keegan and several nieces and nephews.
The Memorial Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at St. James Catholic Church.
Remembrances: St. James Catholic Church, 8412 Whitfield Ave., Savannah, GA 31406 or the Curtis and Elizabeth Anderson Cancer Institute at Memorial University Medical Center, 4700 Waters Ave., Savannah, GA 31404.
Wally, Donna and I feel so blessed to be able to visit with you both this past spring. Joyce seemed to be so well and we are shocked at this sad news. God's blessings on you and your family. I trust she is already joyfully reunited with her loved ones in heaven. Our deepest condolences to all. God bless Joyce and all of you. Love and peace- john & Donna Whiteside
- Whiteside, Malvern, PA
Wally, Donna and I feel so blessed to be able to visit with you both this past spring. Joyce seemed to be so well and we are shocked at this sad news. God's blessings on you and your family. I trust she is already joyfully reunited with her loved ones in heaven. Our deepest condolences to all. God bless Joyce and all of you. Love and peace- john & Donna Whiteside
- Whiteside, Malvern, PA
Mr. OKeef its Hank Vaughn I metyou when I worked at the landings but I just wanted to say that I am so sorry about the loss of your wife
- Hank Vaughn, Savannah, Georgia
Joyce was a wonderful lady. So very kind and thoughtful of others. She will be missed. Joyce Cullen
- Joyce Cullen, Savannah, GA
Walter, our deepest condolences go out to you and your family. We will always cherish our relationship with you and Joyce, dating back to our days at Inmont Corporation, and on through our retirement years. Joyce was a kind and thoughtful friend, and will be greatly missed.
- Chuck and Priscilla Easton, Tinton Falls, NJ
Sending you our deepest condolences from St. Louis. May God grant you strength, peace and understanding during this difficult time. I have fond memories of Joyce. I'm sure there is quite a celebration going on up in heaven as she reunites with JoAnn and all of her other loved ones there. God bless you all!
- Donna Franz and Family, St. Louis, MO
Dear Walter, I am terribly sad to learn of Joyce's passing. It was my privilege to meet and know that sweet wonderful woman who has been your partner in life. She was one in more than a million. My prayers are with you during this difficult and painful time. Lydia
- Lydia Ramsey, Savannah, Georgia
Mr. O'Keefe, Linda, Margie, Cathy, Cheryl & Families............. It is with a heavy heart that we post here today. Our heartfelt sympathy on your loss of such a wonderful and sweet woman. God bless each and every one of you and may your years shared together comfort you during this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. With heavy hearts, Joan & Gail (and Family)
- Joan & Gail , East Hanover, NJ
Walt,I send my sympathy on the passing of your wife.You will be in my prayers.
- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
We were blessed to have known Joyce these past years. She was a very special lady. "And He will lift you up on eagle's wings."
- John & Jeanne Capozzi, Savannah, GA
May God bless you. With much sympathy..... Paul Begley
- Paul Begley, Berlin, New Hampshire
My deepest condolences to the family. May the promise found at Isaiah 25:8 be of comfort to you and your loved ones during this difficult time.
- Barbara Sorhaindo, Mcdonough, GA
We're so glad we had the opportunity to share the trip to Alaska. We got to know Joyce as a warm friendly woman with a great sense of humor, a deep love for her family and strength of character and courage to deal with her health issues. She must have gotten a standing ovation when she entered the pearly gates.
- jack & Sharon Lawler, Fairview, 75069
Wally, Donna and I feel so blessed to be able to visit with you both this past spring. Joyce seemed to be so well and we are shocked at this sad news. God's blessings on you and your family. I trust she is already joyfully reunited with her loved ones in heaven. Our deepest condolences to all. God bless Joyce and all of you. Love and peace- john & Donna Whiteside
- Whiteside, Malvern, PA
Wally, Donna and I feel so blessed to be able to visit with you both this past spring. Joyce seemed to be so well and we are shocked at this sad news. God's blessings on you and your family. I trust she is already joyfully reunited with her loved ones in heaven. Our deepest condolences to all. God bless Joyce and all of you. Love and peace- john & Donna Whiteside
- Whiteside, Malvern, PA
Mr. OKeef its Hank Vaughn I metyou when I worked at the landings but I just wanted to say that I am so sorry about the loss of your wife
- Hank Vaughn, Savannah, Georgia
Joyce was a wonderful lady. So very kind and thoughtful of others. She will be missed. Joyce Cullen
- Joyce Cullen, Savannah, GA
Walter, our deepest condolences go out to you and your family. We will always cherish our relationship with you and Joyce, dating back to our days at Inmont Corporation, and on through our retirement years. Joyce was a kind and thoughtful friend, and will be greatly missed.
- Chuck and Priscilla Easton, Tinton Falls, NJ
Sending you our deepest condolences from St. Louis. May God grant you strength, peace and understanding during this difficult time. I have fond memories of Joyce. I'm sure there is quite a celebration going on up in heaven as she reunites with JoAnn and all of her other loved ones there. God bless you all!
- Donna Franz and Family, St. Louis, MO
Dear Walter, I am terribly sad to learn of Joyce's passing. It was my privilege to meet and know that sweet wonderful woman who has been your partner in life. She was one in more than a million. My prayers are with you during this difficult and painful time. Lydia
- Lydia Ramsey, Savannah, Georgia
Mr. O'Keefe, Linda, Margie, Cathy, Cheryl & Families............. It is with a heavy heart that we post here today. Our heartfelt sympathy on your loss of such a wonderful and sweet woman. God bless each and every one of you and may your years shared together comfort you during this time. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. With heavy hearts, Joan & Gail (and Family)
- Joan & Gail , East Hanover, NJ
Walt,I send my sympathy on the passing of your wife.You will be in my prayers.
- Tom Mahoney, Savannah, Georgia
We were blessed to have known Joyce these past years. She was a very special lady. "And He will lift you up on eagle's wings."
- John & Jeanne Capozzi, Savannah, GA
May God bless you. With much sympathy..... Paul Begley
- Paul Begley, Berlin, New Hampshire
My deepest condolences to the family. May the promise found at Isaiah 25:8 be of comfort to you and your loved ones during this difficult time.
- Barbara Sorhaindo, Mcdonough, GA
We're so glad we had the opportunity to share the trip to Alaska. We got to know Joyce as a warm friendly woman with a great sense of humor, a deep love for her family and strength of character and courage to deal with her health issues. She must have gotten a standing ovation when she entered the pearly gates.
- jack & Sharon Lawler, Fairview, 75069
Services under the direction of:
Fox & Weeks Funeral Directors, Hodgson Chapel
912-352-7200
