OSWEGO, NY – Patricia H. Keefe, 89, a resident of Fayetteville, NY, passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday February 21, 2016.
Pat was born October 10, 1926, to the late Eunice (Duane) and Thomas Keefe of Oswego.
She graduated from Oswego High School and the State University of New York at Oswego.
After teaching elementary school for several years, she took a position with the Girl Scouts of America in Buffalo.
She transferred with this organization to Syracuse and retired as the executive director of the Central New York Girl Scout Council, a position she held for many years.
She was a communicant of Immaculate Conception Parish, Fayetteville.
Pat was always a very strong and independent woman who led a life of generosity and service to others.
In retirement she had been a volunteer driver for FISH (Friends in Service Here) of Fayetteville and volunteered at SUNY Upstate Medical Center for 15 years in the surgical waiting area.
She was very proud of her 50 year membership in the Zonta Club of Syracuse.
A past president and a Zonta Woman of the Year, she believed in the club’s mission: the empowerment of girls and women worldwide through service, advocacy and scholarships.
She was also very active at Immaculate Conception.
She remained self-reliant and active until the end of her life.
Pat always put others first and was a faithful friend.
Golf, reading and travel were among her interests and she enjoyed family events and attending the activities of her nieces and nephews.
Pat was predeceased by her sister, M. Suzanne Cuppernull of Watertown, NY, on February 3, 2016.
She is survived by her brother-in-law, George Cuppernull of Watertown; a brother, Thomas Keefe (Sara) of Scituate, Mass.; six nieces and nephews and their families, Caren (Dr. Patrick) Lanigan of Watertown, Michael (Jane) of Cheshire, Conn., Mark (Judy) Cuppernull of Southport, NC, Christa (Peter) of West Newbury, Mass., Colin (Stephanie) Keefe of San Tan Valley, Ariz., and Rachael Keefe of Minnesota; and 15 great-nieces and great-nephews.
Calling hours will be at Immaculate Conception Church, 400 Salt Springs St., Fayetteville at 10 a.m. on Friday.
A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at the church at 11 a.m.
There will be a spring burial at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Oswego, at the convenience of the family.
Arrangements are with the Dowdle Funeral Home, Oswego.
http://www.dowdlefh.com
Memorial donations in Pat’s name may be made to either the Zonta Foundation of Syracuse, PO Box 6412, Syracuse, NY 13217 or to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at the above address.
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