With heavy hearts, we share the news of our beloved mother and grandmother's passing. She passed peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family on October 28, 2023, in Milford, ME.
She was born on February 23, 1927, and was the last surviving of eight children of Nelson and Philomene (Trembley) Labree. She attended Milford schools and lived her entire life on the Bradley Road in Milford.
She worked at Chapmans Tool Company, area shoe shops, Lily Tulip Factory and Labree's Bakery, which was her favorite.
She married her first husband, Cleo Chabe, and had three children. Later, she married Linwood O'Keefe and was blessed with five more children.
She was blessed with good health, something she was keenly aware of. She was a youthful and energetic mom that taught all of her children to roller skate, and she herself skated well into her 80s. All that knew her, knew that she was mischievous and loved a good time, even at work.
She loved to pick fiddleheads and berries, and could outpick anybody with her. Her favorite place in the world was at camp on Pushaw Lake. A place of enjoyment and peace, she would sit on her swing waiting for her pot of beans to cook. She loved taking the paddle boat out, with whomever would go with her. She loved dancing at various halls with her husband, quite often out dancing everyone else. Many friends were made there. Years ago, she volunteered, along with her son-in-law, Paul, for the Food for Life Program for the outreach community.
The highlight of her life was being a caretaker of her special needs grandson, Justin. She tirelessly and lovingly did this for 33 years. At which point, she and family would continue to visit him at Treat Falls.
She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Linwood; a son, Steven Chabe; granddaughter, Amber O'Keefe; brothers, Francis, Robert and Walter Labree; sisters, Rose Walinchus, Corinne Caswell, Theresa Pollard, and her twin sister, Margaret (Martin) Salisbury. She is survived by her children, Brenda Tucker (Paul) of Milford. Paula Soloby (Bill) of New Jersey, Chris O'Keefe (Patty) of Massachusetts, Brent O'Keefe (Theresa) of Milford, Beth O'Keefe (her partner, Merle) of Greenfield, Lisa McDonald (Patrick) of Florida, Todd O'Keefe of Milford; daughters-in-law, Christine Sapiel and Lina Chabe; grandchildren, Denice and Craig Tucker, Ryan Soloby, Matthew and Erin Chabe, Sean and Michael O'Keefe, Joshua O'Keefe, Lance and Justin O'Keefe, Chelsea, Kevin and Kathleen McDonald, and Lin Chabe; as well as eight great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Joy Labree.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the activity fund at Treat Falls in Orono. Special thanks and gratitude to Beacon Hospice for their care and support.
For every moment, for the rest of our lives, you will be missed. Our hearts hold you tightly and there you will remain. Life goes on without you, but it will never be the same.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Marie O'Keefe, please visit our flower store.
She was born on February 23, 1927, and was the last surviving of eight children of Nelson and Philomene (Trembley) Labree. She attended Milford schools and lived her entire life on the Bradley Road in Milford.
She worked at Chapmans Tool Company, area shoe shops, Lily Tulip Factory and Labree's Bakery, which was her favorite.
She married her first husband, Cleo Chabe, and had three children. Later, she married Linwood O'Keefe and was blessed with five more children.
She was blessed with good health, something she was keenly aware of. She was a youthful and energetic mom that taught all of her children to roller skate, and she herself skated well into her 80s. All that knew her, knew that she was mischievous and loved a good time, even at work.
She loved to pick fiddleheads and berries, and could outpick anybody with her. Her favorite place in the world was at camp on Pushaw Lake. A place of enjoyment and peace, she would sit on her swing waiting for her pot of beans to cook. She loved taking the paddle boat out, with whomever would go with her. She loved dancing at various halls with her husband, quite often out dancing everyone else. Many friends were made there. Years ago, she volunteered, along with her son-in-law, Paul, for the Food for Life Program for the outreach community.
The highlight of her life was being a caretaker of her special needs grandson, Justin. She tirelessly and lovingly did this for 33 years. At which point, she and family would continue to visit him at Treat Falls.
She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Linwood; a son, Steven Chabe; granddaughter, Amber O'Keefe; brothers, Francis, Robert and Walter Labree; sisters, Rose Walinchus, Corinne Caswell, Theresa Pollard, and her twin sister, Margaret (Martin) Salisbury. She is survived by her children, Brenda Tucker (Paul) of Milford. Paula Soloby (Bill) of New Jersey, Chris O'Keefe (Patty) of Massachusetts, Brent O'Keefe (Theresa) of Milford, Beth O'Keefe (her partner, Merle) of Greenfield, Lisa McDonald (Patrick) of Florida, Todd O'Keefe of Milford; daughters-in-law, Christine Sapiel and Lina Chabe; grandchildren, Denice and Craig Tucker, Ryan Soloby, Matthew and Erin Chabe, Sean and Michael O'Keefe, Joshua O'Keefe, Lance and Justin O'Keefe, Chelsea, Kevin and Kathleen McDonald, and Lin Chabe; as well as eight great-grandchildren; and her sister-in-law, Joy Labree.
A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the activity fund at Treat Falls in Orono. Special thanks and gratitude to Beacon Hospice for their care and support.
For every moment, for the rest of our lives, you will be missed. Our hearts hold you tightly and there you will remain. Life goes on without you, but it will never be the same.
Photo Gallery
Guestbook
Visits: 0
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the
Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Service map data © OpenStreetMap contributors