October 21, 1928 - March 6, 2018 OBITUARY
Morrissey – Elaine Florence (O’Keefe), 89, of Garden City, NY, on March 6, 2018 reached up and took the firm hand of her creator and was raised into heaven. She will be greeted there by her husband Thomas Gerard, who has been making preparations. Born October 21, 1928 Elaine was the only daughter of William F. O’Keefe and Florence Semler O’Keefe of the Wakefield section of the Bronx, New York. She was predeceased by her elder brother Robert (12/21/2006). She was predeceased by her husband Thomas G. Morrissey (12-19-2013) and had Thomas survived would have celebrated 65 year of marriage this year. That celebration will now take place in heaven above. Both her parents were first generation citizens. Her father William was a driver for Duggan’s Bakery and her mom Florence worked as a book-keeper for the nation’s largest grocery retailer at the time A&P (The Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company). Elaine attended St. Frances of Rome, Bronx parish school and graduated from Mt. St. Ursula High School in the Bronx and later attended both the College of New Rochelle (BA). Then she attended Fordham University for graduate social work studies where she met husband Thomas. Through college Elaine worked to help with the cost of tuition… memorable jobs were summers at Bonwit Teller and later working for Catholic Charities Foster Care. The hard work of her parents gained the family a summer cottage on the shore of Long Island (Long Beach) where Elaine learned the love of the ocean and gained a passion to swim. Elaine also had a passion for art, enjoyed drawing as a child, and became a painter as a senior. Her interest in art was further expressed when she took cake decorating classes and made pretty cakes for her children and grandchildren. As a young mother she loved to sew and made several mother/daughter outfits. Elaine was married (01/03/1953) at the church of St. Frances of Rome, Bronx NY. After marriage Elaine embarked on a new career… mother. The family quickly outgrew their small one-bedroom apartment in Bronx neighborhood near her parents and into a bungalow in Bellerose Queens, NY (1955). But again, the ever-expanding family outgrew their abode and moved to Garden City, NY (1967). Elaine was a participant in St. Anne’s Parish and with Thomas were extremely active in the Marriage Encounter movement. She also served as a eucharistic minister, in the ministry of consolation, pre-cana, teen faith formation, and later in the senior scene group. Elaine was always attentive to her role as mother, and while her husband worked as a New York City Probation Officer to financially provide for the family, Elaine made the very best of what was provided. The 10 children always had adequate and clean clothing to wear, a lunch for school, completed field trip permission forms, school work help, regularly scheduled medical/dental exams and a full meal each evening in dining room. Elaine is survived by all of her 10 children and their spouses, 24 grandchildren and their spouses, and 10 great grandchildren. Dr. Thomas G. Morrissey and wife Julie of Altamont, New York family: Thomas Eric Ryan Sarah William F. Morrissey of Perry, New York, family: Luke and Sandy; children Alexa and Isabella Erin and Adam; children: Carter, Colden, Kaylee Daniel and Jacinda; daughter Amelia Nathaniel and Mandi; daughter Ava Ethan and Kendal Patricia Ann (Morrissey) Repko and husband David of Solon, Ohio family: Caroline and Matthew; daughter Claire Melissa Neal Gerard B. Morrissey and wife Mary Jo of Newville, New York family: Michael Meghan Matthew and Katherine; children: Charlie and Mary Timothy and Elizabeth Elaine M. (Morrissey) Tynan and husband Kieran Tynan of West Caldwell, New Jersey family: Charles Meghan Kevin R. Morrissey of Clifton Park, New York family: Jenna Madeline John K. Morrissey and wife Nancy of Tappan, New York family: Anna Grace Beth Ann (Morrissey) McVicar and husband Alastair McVicar of Garden City, New York family: Colin Deirdre Robert M. Morrissey and wife Christine, of Longmont, Colorado and Joseph J. Morrissey, of Yaphank, New York There are few words that could ever really express the thanks the family have for Elaine’s caregivers these past few years, but we need to try… Clara Talusan and Veronica Maningas thank you… there for sure is a special place reserved for you in heaven. When she met her husband Tom long ago… they would often speak of how when Tom called her on the phone at work she would answer “Elaine O’Keefe may I help you?” Elaine Florence you have helped so many for so long…. our wish now is for your eternal rest. In lieu of flowers a donation may be sent to: Mary Haven Center of Hope, 51 Terryville Rd., Port Jefferson Station, NY 11776 VISITATION Friday, March 9
4:00 - 8:00 PM New Hyde Park Funeral Home 506 Lakeville Road, New Hyde Park, NY MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Saturday, March 10 12:00 PM St. Anne's Church 35 Dartmouth Street, Garden City, NY INTERMENT Calverton National Cemetery 210 Princeton Boulevard, Calverton, NY