Ann L. O'Keefe

Ann L. O'Keefe, age 78, passed away peacefully on December 6, 2025 at Smith Crossing in Orland Park, Illinois. Ann is survived by her husband of 55 years Col. James "Jim" GM O'Keefe (US Army, retired), her son James (also "Jim"), daughter-in-law Jennifer, grandchildren Tessa, Sadie, and James, her sister Beth Pelic, and nieces Sarah Matheny and Molly Kalb. Ann worked for 20 years as a civil servant for the Department of Defense in Germany, North Carolina, and Virginia, before retiring in 2003. She was an active member of the Washington D.C. chapter of the Army Transportation Corps Wives Club and served as President.

Ann was born in Waterloo, Iowa to Irwin and Georgia Lage and was raised in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Ann graduated from Iowa State University with a degree in home economics journalism. In 1970, at a time when it was not common for a young woman to leave home and move across the country on her own, Ann moved to Newport News, Virginia, where she worked as a reporter for the Newport News Times Herald.

It was there that Ann met Jim, a handsome Army Captain from New York just returned from two tours in Vietnam. They had a whirlwind relationship, quickly fell in love, and married. Jim was then reassigned to San Francisco, California, the first of 12 moves in 21 years for Ann and Jim. Their life in the Army took them to Germany three times for a total of 9 years, Kansas, and multiple tours in North Carolina and Virginia. Their son Jim was born in San Francisco, and Ann loved to tell people that he weighed 11 pounds and 3 ¾ ounces.

Ann had many interests, chief among them cooking and travel. Ann was a voracious collector and reader of cookbooks, writing numerous notes in the margins, often questioning the authors' use of one ingredient over another, and musing on when she should try out recipes she deemed worthy of her time (and our stomachs). She was an adventurous and successful cook, with favorites from a variety of styles – traditional American, Italian, German, and Chinese, among others. Ann wrote a cookbook of our family's favorite recipes in advance of Jim and Jen's wedding, gifting copies to both families. It remains a beloved source of scrumptious meals.

Ann, Jim, and Jim travelled the world, with multiple trips around Germany, Ireland, England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Greece, among other European countries, plus Tunisia, Australia, and New Zealand. Ann delighted in exploring small villages on her own, finding out-of-the-way sights and restaurants frequented by locals. Ann's ventures allowed us to experience a slice of life that tourists frequently don't. Once, when husband Jim was temporarily assigned to Chad in Africa, Ann on a whim booked a bus trip with 10-year old Jim to Barcelona, Spain from our home in Stuttgart, Germany. Jim treasures the memory of that 96-hour trip, 30 of which were on a bus.

Most of all, however, Ann loved her family. She and husband Jim had a deep and abiding love and trust for 55 years. Over that time they experienced countless joys and difficulties – all together. They raised Jim with love and a gentle firmness. They cheered him on at innumerable soccer games, encouraged his love of reading and education, and fiercely supported him when he struggled. Ann loved Jen and her grandchildren, and was always excited to cook for them, and to go to their theatre and choir performances.

Ann's family wish to thank the staff and residents of Smith Crossing for their care and support.

Ann was a remarkable woman. She will be dearly missed and forever loved.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks you to consider making a donation to Emilie's Fund at Smith Crossing ( https://smithvillage.org/about-us/emilies-fund ) and/or the Fisher House https://www.fisherhouse.org/ , which provides housing and services to the families of military service members during hospitalizations.

Resting at the Tews-Ryan Funeral Home 18230 Dixie Highway in Homewood on Thursday December 18, from 3-7pm. Funeral Friday with 9:45am prayers at the Funeral Home to St. Veronica Church (formerly Infant Jesus of Prague Church) in Flossmoor for Mass a 10:30am.  Interment to follow at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.  For additional information contact tews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.