Sr. O'Keefe

Opelousas- Sr. Monica OKeefe, MSC was born in New York City, New York on September 1, 1932. She died at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home in Opelousas, Louisiana on December 25, 2014 at 6:00 PM.
Sr. Monica was preceded in death by her father, Hugh OKeefe of County Cork, Ireland and her mother, Mary McDonnell from County Mayo, Ireland and by her sisters, Mary Josephine Savercool and Margaret Daly. She is survived by her sister, Julia Sheila Conifrey and her brotherinlaw, Bill Conifrey of Naples, Florida. She is also survived by 3 nephews and 2 nieces, 7 grand nephews and 2 grand nieces.
Sr. Monica entered the Congregation of the Marianites of Holy Cross on February 2, 1952 and pronounced her perpetual vows on May 30, 1957. She was educated at Fordham University and spent most of her life in the Northeast ministering in elementary and secondary education and in health care. During her ministry in education, she taught at Saint Louis Academy, Staten Island Saint Ambrose, Old Bridge, New Jersey Saint Benedict, Holmdel, New Jersey and Saint John Vianney High School, Holmdel, New Jersey.
During the past ten years, she was a substance abuse counselor in Health Care for the Homeless Program at the Catholic Medical Center in Manchester. She was active in the addiction treatment community of Manchester, New Hampshire and in the New England area.
In March of 2014, she was awarded the St. Martin de Porres Award by the Diocese of Manchester in New Hampshire. The letter of recognition from the Bishop of Manchester, Most Reverend Peter Libasci stated: You have been a champion of Catholic Heath Care, demonstrating compassion for and selfless dedication to the sick. You have reflected the love of God in caring for the sick and those in need.
By all who worked with her, Sr. Monica was known for her dedication, her compassion and deep concern for others. In her ministry to persons suffering from homelessness or from substance abuse, her compassion enabled her to see the face of the sacred in her clients. Sr. Monica journeyed selflessly with each person in their hopelessness and suffering. She strove to lead them to discover their spiritual core, their selfesteem, their human dignity and peace. Each day Sr. Monicas smile was her trademark. It was a sign of welcome and acceptance to all who came into her presence. Dying on Christmas day, she was welcomed into the eternal smile of her loving God.
To celebrate her life, a wake service will be held on Saturday, January 3rd from 8:00 AM 10:30 AM at Our Lady of Prompt Succor Nursing Home Chapel followed by the Mass of the Resurrection at 10:30 AM with burial in St. Landry Cemetery in Opelousas, Louisiana.
In lieu of flowers, the Marianites of Holy Cross request that memorial donations be made to the Marianites of Holy Cross: Congregational Center, 1011 Gallier St., New Orleans, LA 701176111.

An Irish Blessing
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Words of Comfort to the family may be expressed at www.sibillefuneralhomes.com. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Sibille Funeral Home of Opelousas.

Visitation

Prompt Succor Nursing Facility Chapel
954 E. Prudhomme Lane
Opelousas, LA  70570
Saturday, January 3, 2015
8 am10:30 am

Service

Resurrection Mass

Prompt Succor Nursing Facility Chapel
954 E. Prudhomme Lane
Opelousas, LA  70570
Saturday, January 3, 2015
10:30 am

Cemetery

St. Landry Cemetery
1020 North Main Street
Opelousas, LA  70570