Surrounded by her loving family, Maureen passed away peacefully at the Irene Thomas Hospice in Delta, BC, on May 10, 2014, after a courageous battle with pancreatic cancer. She was 61.

She is survived by her loving husband Gary O’Keefe, sons Sean (Irina) and Tristan (Alexa) and siblings May, Ivan, Smuts, Johnny, George and Michael. She is predeceased by her parents, Lim and Margaret and siblings Robert, Neville and Yvonne.

Born in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, on December 18, 1952, Maureen immigrated to Toronto via the UK during the 70s. Here she raised a family of two boys while establishing her executive position in the world of reinsurance.

Maureen lived a full life, only too short. Her passions were cooking and entertaining, gardening, travel and mostly, spending time with family and friends. In the words of a good friend, “Maureen was a very special human being, with a very big heart and a great deal of generosity, a reliable and trustworthy person. She had high moral standards and a special understanding for all those in need.”

A celebration of Maureen’s life will be held in Toronto next month.

From an Irish headstone:

“Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal.”