Anne Murphy Keefe Obituary (1926

Anne Murphy Keefe, a member of the greatest generation of baby boomer mothers passed away peacefully on August 19, 2012. Anne was predeceased by her husband, Thomas P. Keefe, Sr., a long time Seattle lawyer. Anne and Tom were the proud and loving parents of nine children who survive her: Rob, Tom, Jr., Kevin, Joanne, Dennis, Laurie (LeMay), Colleen, Kerry and Molly (Nicoletta). She is also survived by eighteen grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews and an extended family of "children" who spent many days as part of the Keefe households in Seattle, Whidbey and Bainbridge islands. "Murph" was born in Spokane, Washington to Irish Catholic emigrant parents, Frank and Elizabeth Murphy. Her father passed away shortly after her birth, and her mother then moved with her to Seattle in 1925 and became Catholic Archbishop Shaughnessy's housekeeper. Anne and her mother then enjoyed fifteen years of residency in the Archbishop's mansion, during which she graduated from Holy Names Academy and Seattle College, now Seattle University, where she was an honor student. Tom and Anne Keefe were married shortly after his return from his 1941-1945 U.S. Army service in France and Germany. As a full time mother, she still found time to demonstrate her artistic talents and was an antique collector extraordinaire, with special interests in dolls. Anne was also a lover of animals and took in many homeless dogs, cats and other assorted animals over the years. As her children grew, Tom and Anne found time to travel extensively to France, Germany, Italy and to her roots in Ireland. Her sharp wit, great cooking (especially her fabulous sandwiches) and loving nature were freely shared with family and friends. That spirit of Anne Murphy Keefe will always survive and be with us. Special thanks to Murph's caregivers over the past several years: Jenny, Pauline, Suzy and Marisa. Memorial donations are suggested to the charity of your choice; or to Fr. Kilian Malvey, Scholarship Fund, St. Martin's University, Lacey, WA; Sisters of the Holy Names, 2911 W. Fort Wright Dr., Spokane, WA 99224; or WAIF Animal Shelter, 20168 SR 20, Coupeville, WA 98239. A Memorial Mass will be celebrated Wednesday, August 29th, at 11:00 AM at St. Anne's Church, 100 W. Lee St., Seattle, 98119, with reception gathering of family and friends to follow. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Anne Murphy Keefe, please click here to visit our sympathy store.