Norma O'Keeffe Obituary

Norma Marie (Denecke) O'Keeffe, age 90 of St Petersburg FL, peacefully passed away on January 25, 2019 at Suncoast Hospice surrounded by her loving family.
Norma was born on March 18, 1928 to Frederic and Wilette (Whitney) Denecke in Washington DC. Norma was raised in East Aurora New York and graduated from East Aurora High School. She attended Mary Washington College of the University of Virginia and upon graduation became a teacher in East Aurora NY. In 1951 Norma married Timothy Francis O'Keeffe and moved to Hamburg NY where they raised their four children, Timothy, Kristin, Sheila and Gregory. After Timothy Sr. passed away in 1977, Norma moved to St Petersburg FL where she loved every single snow-free and sunny day. Norma was very proud of her seven grandchildren and was so happy to see all of them at her 90th birthday party in March. Norma had a lifelong love of the theater and was a star of the drama program at the Sunshine Senior Center. Always kind and welcoming to new people, Norma collected friends from all walks of life and encouraged them to be their best. Her laughter and love of life set an example for all.
Left to honor Norma and remember her love are Norma's brother, Frederick Denecke; her four children: Timothy (Beverly) O'Keeffe, Kristin ( Philip) Bensen, Sheila (Giuseppe) Tritto, Gregory (Linda) O'Keeffe; her seven grandchildren, Gregory Bensen, Courtney Bensen, Timothy O'Keeffe, Erin O'Keeffe, Whitney O'Keeffe, Colin O'Keeffe and Adrian Tritto and numerous nieces and nephews who will greatly miss her.
Funeral services will be held at St Paul's Catholic Church, 1800 12th Street North, St Petersburg FL on Saturday March 2nd at 10:30 AM with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery.The family would like to extend our gratitude to the staff at Suncoast Hospice at Bayfront Hospital for their great kindness and care of our mother.