Alice Keefe
Alice Keefe
Alice Keefe, age 95, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 17, 2020 in her home surrounded by family. She was in good hands with Evergreen Health Hospice Care the past two months, along with her daughters doing the care-giving.
Alice was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 4, 1925. She was a hard worker her entire life, teaching us the value of a strong work ethic. In high school, she stocked shelves at Sears. After graduating, the family moved to Washington State in 1942. She went to business school to brush up on secretarial skills and worked for an electric company prior to attending the University of Washington. She was then employed at an advertising agency before working in a law firm until 1953. During that time she joined the Chancellor Club, a Catholic group for “young” people. There she was introduced to her future husband, Jack Keefe. They were married in November 1953 at St. James Cathedral in Seattle.
While raising three daughters, Alice was in a church bowling league, involved with St. Edward’s Parish guilds, and played in a bridge group where she formed lifelong friendships. She went back to work in 1972 for the Seattle/King County Health Department where she retired in 1991.
Grandkids & Great-Grandkids
For several years after retirement, she helped tutor reading at her grandchildren’s elementary school. She was an avid reader, sometimes losing track of time when she had a good book. Almost every night, like clockwork, she watched Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. At her house, you could always count on a home cooked meal, finding a tin filled with homemade cookies, and a cocktail or a glass of fine wine. She loved playing cards, going to the casino, tending to her rose garden, taking trips with family, and spending time with her five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Alice’s strong Catholic faith helped guide her throughout her life and she taught all of us to find strength during the difficult times and to treasure the happy
Jon and Alice
moments in our lives.
She was a very special woman and a wonderful mother, grandmother, and great grandmother who will be missed.
She is preceded in death by her husband, Jack Keefe, and son-in-law, Bruce Rogers. She is survived by daughters Judy Keefe, Carol Rogers and Maureen (Kevin) Leslie; grandchildren Evan (Amber) Rogers, Stephanie Rogers; Ashley, Sarah and Jon Leslie; and great grandchildren Dayton and Brooklynn Rogers.
Memorial services will be held at a later date due to the current COVID-19 environment. In lieu of flowers the family asks that donations be made in memory of Alice to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at https://www.stjude.org or to Children’s Make-A-Wish Alaska and Washington at https://akwa.wish.org.
6 Responses to “Alice Keefe”
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Condolences to the entire Keefe family, in particular,Judy, my lifelong classmate. Prayers for peace in your hearts.
Alice was one of my Mom’s very best friends and I was blessed to have Alice and Jack as Godparents. I always appreciated that Alice remembered my birthday every year. She was so very thoughtful. I loved her very much.
My heart goes out to Judy, Carol and Maureen at this difficult time. I have such fond memories of Alice, especially her wonderful laugh; it was impossible not to join in. My Mom truly treasured her friendship.
Not only will she be greatly missed but we are losing another special soul from a truly great, inspirational generation. God Bless the Keefe family.
My mom, Irene Cogan Redman was one of Alice’s long time friends. She was in the infamous bridge group and smaller birthday group. She also met my dad at Chancellor Club. These ladies had a great time and were wonderful people. They left us with such memories and live long lessions, very strong women.
Thinking of Judy, Carol and Maureen and your families as you miss your mom and settle into life without her.’.
Love, Mary Jo
Alice was such an amazing person, and always a favorite of mine among my Mom’s friends. One of the last among a generation of smart, talented women who made Seattle their home in 40’s and 50’s. She will be missed by all who knew her.
I want to say thank you to the Keefe Family for all the memories, which so many had dear Alice at the helm!
My early memories of childhood were times spent at the Keefe cabin on Whidbey, to which our family was often welcomed.
My mom and Alice were the same age when their first borns came along and as the story goes, called each other daily to compare notes on our burps, bottles and smiles .
When Alice, my mother Jane and the other friends in the “bridge group” met, there was a riotous bunch of laughter and also intense brain power happening at that month’s game.
Alice always had time for me and was sincere in her caring interactions with all the children.
I will treasure joking with her… loved her dry wit
and the way she laughed! She kept her humorous sense intact to the end.
Sending love to her girls, grand and great-grandchildren!
God Bless her and give her eternal joy.